Damage from Snow Pack Builds

[Shortpig]

So far at my house we have been lucky. I really pray that doesn't change. The barn where my daughter keeps her big horses and where mine have gone to dry out and where they lived for a couple years is a different story.

There are two levels and it is a very large barn. She had her horses in the lower barn which was reserved for the owners horses and those of friends of the owner. Yesterday the far end of the lower barn where the hay was stored and there were no stalls the roof collapsed. Luckily the end over the stalls is intact at this point due to added support from the stall walls. My daughters horses were moved to the upper barn but there aren't enough stalls for the owner to move her horses up there. They are insured but they don't know if the insurance will replace the roof that fell or just call it gone at this point. They did say that any hay destroyed would be paid for by the insurance company and thereby replaced. We had just restocked the hay up there but it is covered by a tarp and we are hoping it isn't hurt at this point.

Then Erin of Mooreacres has been without power since Christmas except for a short spurt of power yesterday. They took that short opportunity to fill every water container they could find. But then last night the canopy over her Gmas front porch came crashing down in the middle of the night. She didn't know if they can even get out the front door until daylight. They might have to use the back door until the mess can be cleaned up out front. Her Christmas has turned just awful. We can't get to her because my daughters chains broke on her car and I don't have any for my truck.

Please everyone check in and let us know how you are doing.

 

[BigDogs & LittleHorses]

Hi Marie,

Well I just got power back a few hours ago after losing it Christmas morning. Even with 4WD I was unable to get out of my driveway to get to my folks place for Christmas breakfast. My stepdad had to come pick me up.

I had to shovel a trail just to get out to the shop and to the barn. From what I've read, Saint Bernards were supposed to forge ahead of the their masters and smash down the snow with their giant paws. Mine however followed BEHIND me, patiently waiting for me to clear a path for them with the snow shovel.

I was getting really nervous about the snow load on the old barn where Morgan and Wyatt live, but it did okay. Those heavy timbers they used did the trick.

Hope my garage doesn't collapse!

But, here's what I was greeted with yesterday morning as I went out to fire up the generator:

That's my poor Aerostar under that tree, my Bernard and Mini-horse hauler

Slightly less head room than before!

Luckily, the branches did not puncture through the roof. I spent about three hours getting that tree off of the van and clearing the snow. I warmed the van up and was able to pop the large dent back up using my legs & back inside the van. Suprisingly, there are just a few gouges and dings from it. Since the van is paid for and I don't carry full coverage, I'll probably just keep it like it is and drive it into the ground.

Daryl

P.S. Oh yeah, I came home and found that the dogs had been naughty.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

 

[Valerie]

We are starting the big thaw now.........I never did get a picture after all the snow piled up, we do now it was more than 2 feet of snow though.

We have lost atleast 1 big pine tree & lots of big limbs........some still over the fence lines.....lots of clean up....but luckily nothing hit the barn or garage or house. We did lose our portable pen though....the one made with hog panels & tarps.....it lasted until a couple of days ago & the weight of the snow finally

caved it in....but again, atleast the horses were in the barn away from it....so not casualites.

Lucky, so lucky to have not lost power .....thank goodness for that.....but now the bigger mess of clean up starts. So much snow melting, they say we are flood watch on until late Sunday night.

Hope all is ok with everyone else....check in when you get a chance everybody! I hope Erin's family is ok & they get power soon!''

Russ, I think "your dogs" had the right idea.....Party!!

Valerie

 

[jayne]

Well, the grand total was over 30 inches. Unbelievable. I was thrilled to find that it was 40 degrees when I woke up this morning and I notice the piles are not as tall. I don't see any grass yet though. We did shovel the snow off the roof of our shop, avoiding a sure disaster there. The house, barn and shed/pump-house were constructed recently to current engineering standards and we were not worried about those. The snow sliding off the metal barn roof did take out the gutters though. You can see pictures of all of this on my blog:

http://www.redponyranch.blogspot.com

We lost power twice, but luckily it was during the late evening and the night and it was back on by the time we got up in the morning. We do not have supplementary heat, so we get a little concerned about that, but it didn't get below 60 in here, so that was a blessing.

I am anxiously awaiting for all of our other northwesterners to check in and let us know that they are OK.

Jayne

 

[Equuisize]

Snow is thawing but it doesn't seem to be going away very fast.

Pastures and yards are still covered in snow even with the rain.

I just can't imagine where all this rain will drain off to......

We do have a creek along on the property but haven't checked it

today for volume.

We've come thru the storm pretty unscathed, except for the

loafing shed roof which collapsed. Michael has repaired that

already.

The barn roof has a very steep pitch and it's shed much snow

into the pastures, scaring us the first few times we heard it slide off.

The horses didn't like the sound to much either.

Hope you all continue fare well for the most part.

 

[hahler]

OK ours wasnt from snow

We had a severe thunderstorm come threw this morning with torrential rains and straight line winds

The wind was so strong it twisted a 2" drill stem pipe that WAS my basketball hoop, pulled apart a big cedar tree and up rooted a 100+ year old acorn tree ( so much for that fence). Thank god no buildings were hurt but i have alot of fencing to replace and chainsaw time. Lost power most of the day. the acorn tree is over 7' in circumfrence (yes i measured it for my curiosity) at least it missed the cemetary suprisingly enough no damage in there (kind of hard to replace civil war monuments)

I heard another round is suppose to hit us again. At least no tornados here those were just north of me

 

[tagalong]

Snow sliding off the roof of the barn & arena also wiped out 95% of our gutters - what a mess! Twisted metal everywhere.

The trees lining the long, curved driveway did not fare well - they include some kind of pear trees that are always late to shed their leaves - so when the snow weighed down on leafy branches it resulted in tree carnage.

A couple of the trees were bent double and commited suicide by trying to leap over the adjoining pasture fence. As they were not terribly athletic, they took out a fair bit of that fenceline in their plunge - splitting the fenceposts! Our neighbourhood is still a snowy, 4X4-only mess... and even 4X4s have to be careful. We have a lovely new mare who shipped in from Texas (what bad timing!) staying at a friend's barn as there is no way to get her here. Once you get down to the main road it is bare and wet - but getting as far as that is an adventure!

But miracle of miracles - the power stayed on. Our power is often flighty - and at times the mere suggestion of a storm will knock it out - but it stayed on through all of this!

My terriers were stupified by snow that towered well over their backs at times... and with no reference points would dash out and simply piddle on the snow-covered steps, turn around and run back inside! Beware of yellow snow!!

But today with temps in the 40s... and the huge piles of snow diminishing... life may get back to normal in a couple of days!

I hope.

Anyone want a lot of mangled, twisted old gutters?

 

[susanne]

Reporting from the snowy wilderness, high in the hills above Scappoose, this is LB reporter susanne beutler...

Help! My mind is shriveling from lack of stimuli...our primary source of entertainment has been the continual weather coverage on the local tv stations, and I may be permanently scarred.

Between drifts and wind hollows, it is difficult to accurately measure our snow, but our best estimate is around 24 inches. Fortunately, we have our well-packed pathway between the house, hay storage and the horses, since to step elsewhere is to be in well over the tops of our boots. The temperatures have risen, but not enough to really clear any snow -- instead, the rain fills what was a light, powdery snow and turning it into a heavy, slushy mess! Even our packed paths are turning to slush, making the simplest trip to the corrals a mess.

Speaking of corrals, we lost a second apple tree, and this one made a direct hit on the front of both fences and the common fence separating Flash and Scarlet (stallion and filly). Fortunately, My karma must be at least somewhat good; I had created a wind block at the front of the corrals using heavy duty wood pallets, and that took the full force of the falling tree. Stallion and filly are still safely separated and the no-climb fencing is uncompromised, although the cattle panel gate has an interesting bow to it...

Keith made it into Portland on Christmas Eve, slithering down our snow-choked driveway and using momentum to prevent high-centering. From there the going was good, and he was fine until coming home, when he could not get back up our driveway. He parked and carried groceries up to our house, putting off the inevitable. Yesterday and today he attempted to dig his way out, but even with chains it looks like we'll need a great deal more melting before the van is free. He called a tow company, but they are tied up with emergency calls, and we don't qualify. We're merely impatient, focusing on things we WANT to have -- we're just fine for the necessities.

The horses are doing great; after all, who can argue with nonstop hay? Flash's path to food and water was blocked by branches of the fallen tree. He could easily have forged a new trail through the deep snow, but instead he waited for Keith to come to his rescue and clear the way. Flash is NEVER one to waste energy, so why should he trudge through snow when his people will do it for him?

All in all, we really can't complain, but that doesn't mean we don't... We try to find the humor, look on the bright side and plan changes for next winter, such as heated or insulated buckets. Instead of crying over lost apples, we're considering where to plant new, semi-dwarf fruit trees, allowing more room between them and the corral fence for turning and parking trailer and truck. We're making notes of wiser choices, such as leaving one vehicle parked at the bottom of our gravel road, right next to the main road that gets plowed.

I hope everyone we haven't heard from is doing well. Please let us know!

 

[nootka]

I feel lucky, indeed. The snow melted here with little fanfare, and the worst thing is the rivers are overfull.

No lasting damage, but it looks like some may be faced with the usual problems of too much moisture in a short time frame.

I'm sorry for the damage to those that have it, but glad so far that it appears that no one was hurt.

We drove to Portland on Christmas Eve in our sturdy, trusty and intreped 2004 Super Duty 4X4, and needed the traction though we did not use the mandatory chains that we carried with. Hillsboro was amazingly inundated with hard, crusty slush and packed ice.

Last night I went to PDX and was shocked at the amount of snow that remains, though the roadways were clear and merely wet. What a nasty mess this has been....

It WAS kind of cool having it snow on Christmas morning, though. Kind of.

Liz

 

[Shari]

Sorry to hear that Marie...sounds scary to have part of the barn come down.

Ouch Daryl.... those are some impressive pictures. Glad you were able to dig out your Van! You need to get yourself a Tractor.... that is what we used to clear out our drive, other wise DH would of never gotten out...even now there is still too much snow.

Susanne...am sad to hear you lost an apple tree and part of the fence was mashed down but glad to hear your minis are ok.

Thats my worry too Tagalong... the gutters...and the old shed, all I can do is cross my fingers.

We did make it to town yesterday morning... by the hair of our chinny chin chin.... So many trucks and 4 bys stuck along side of the road, should of seen the looks we got when we drove by in DH wee Toyota Echo. Looks like a bomb went off up here...all the down trees still on the roads. Place down the road lost their barn, have no idea if their animals were in it or not?

DH and one of the other neighbors have been helping others that need their drives dug out. Tractors make all the difference up here. No mail or any UPS/etc, services until further notice.

Knock on wood the power is on for now.

Snow is melting but not that fast here....was hoping to wake up this morning and see grass but no such luck.

Is/was quite the storm... have not seen snow like this since we moved to the NW.

Hope everyone else is doing ok too!

ADDED: ... can see pictures on my blog

http://the-neesfamily.blogspot.com/2008/12...ent-dec-08.html

 

[tagalong]

***FLOOD ALERT***

Where? Our barn!

As the last of the gutters came crashing down this afternoon, the main aisle of the barn has turned into a stream... AARRGGHH!! The snow is too deep for water to drain away anywhere - except the big storm drain out the back of the barn. I dug it out and am using a push broom to channel the water that direction.

What a freaking mess. I want to wake up and have it be NEXT Saturday - and all this will be gone. And new gutters will have magically appeared.

Thanks for letting me whiiiiiiiiiiine.

 

[ClickMini]

So far so good here at Finch Meadow. Still praying that we evade the gutter carnage on the arena roof. Snow is melting off and making a HUGE mess. We still have about a foot here. It is foggy and looks like of pretty at the moment, as you gaze down the driveway to our disabled 4x4 heavy duty truck, didn't make it up the driveway and burned out our starter and battery trying. Heckfire! Broke the (brand new) chains for the car. My arena is totally flooded. Just have to sit back and accept that it is just better to batten down the hatches until this too does finally pass.

I am really sorry to hear of Erin's family's misfortunes.

Here's a fun photo of Esprit and Turbo having some boy fun while Alladdin looks on.

 

[Miniv]

All things considered we are very LUCKY, so far.......

Our driveway and some paddocks, plus various side roads are slick as sn*t with packed snow/ice that's melting. We have small lakes of standing water everywhere......but no damage to report, unlike some of you guys.

I've had to think like an ice skater to get across to the barn. And Larry delivered a truck load of hay up to a friend, about 30 miles away. He admitted that he allowed himself a bit of fun on the melting icy road after the hay was unloaded......doing some fishtailing on purpose......the goof.

 

[MooreAcres]

Checking in...

Finally got power back about an hour ago! Thank god! Lost it on Christmas Eve, late afternoon. Marie (Shortpigs) daughter and one of my best friends, rescued me for the night so I was able to shower and get warmed up, plus go with her when she drove her husband into work for his graveyard shift. Chains broke on the way home that night, which made it difficult to return to Portland Christmas morning to pick him up and ultimately left me stranded, away from home and the horses... Talk about panic mode. Luckily, I was able to get a ride with our good neighbors but not before heading to the ONLY store open. I bought gallons of water so I could replenish the horses water tubs, that were quickly depleating. Sometime during this time, we had discovered that the pressure tank that runs our well was rusted out the bottom, and in dire need of replacing. Thankfully we found someone to come, hike thru the thigh high snow, and exchange it for a new one. But until the power came back on, we wouldn't know if it was working. Early yesterday afternoon, we regained power only to loose it a few hours later. However, we were able to refill horse tubs and any/all spare containers with cold water...the pump still wasnt working right. Again, the men, came to solve the problem. Power was lost before we could test it out. I was all warm and snuggled up with my dog, when I heard a loud crash around 6 this morning. Out of bed I got, to the front door, praying that it wasn't the barn that had just collapsed. Thankfully it wasnt, instead the front porch was crushed against the side of the house, blocking all the windows and door. I have attached pictures below. Nothing I could do at the time, so went back to bed. Mom came up a few hours later, I used the back door to get out, and we dug our way to the front door. We were all excited when the power came on tonight. You dont realize how much heat, lights, TV, and internet matter until you are without them LOL! But alas, still no water...it just isnt working right. The men will be back in the morning. I want a shower...oh how I dream of a hot shower. Three days is a long time. Sorry if I smell. LOL. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Looking out the front door...

From the front...

Erin from MooreAcres

 

[Shari]

Ouch Erin..... just glad you and the minis are ok!

You are not whining Tagalong.... was a very frustrating snow event that isn't quite over. Sigh ~~

Really like the photo clickmini!

My poor creatures stopped playing days ago. If they go where they do not have paths trod down, the snow is half way up the mini's side and no fun to play in. Should see the looks I get. Ella looks like a cat with wet paws and just about as happy.

 

[Shortpig]

I just went out to feed horses and lock up for the night. It's dark and shadows can make things look weird but it looks like the roof caved some over my bathroom. Please pray it didn't, what a mess that will be. Enough bad has happened.

 

[LindaL]

Snow is pretty much gone here now (just the large piles left over from plowing snow off the main roads and parking lots remain). As for damage...my parents have a large porch overhang that bowed from the weight of the snow and broke one of the supporting beams. It is still "standing", but they will have to have that beam replaced before it comes crashing down!

Last night Deb and I decided the roads were clear enough to venture out (I dont have snow tires or chains) and we did fine out driving...but on the turn back onto our driveway we lost traction and I stopped....oops! LOL We were stuck and I tried to get us out, then Deb tried....well, being outside the car and having a HUGE ditch on one side made me freak out as the car slid within inches from that ditch!!

Deb was very careful, tho and didnt freak (LOL) and we finally were unstuck and made it down the driveway...phew!!!

Sorry to hear about everyone else's troubles and damage...this storm was NOT a fun one!!

 

[Sonya]

We are having lots of flooding issues here in Michigan as well. We had 3ft of snow that melted in less than 48hrs. It is flat as a pancake here so the water just lays. We didn't get damage from snow really, many people here have the metal roofs, especialy on their pole barns. Power loss was at a minimum too, 2ft of the snow came in less than 12 hours, it was the very fluffy stuff though. It is windier than the dickens right now. Sustained winds over 50mph...it actually woke me up, I was waiting to hear the tornado sirens from the next town over, but so far it's quiet. Have to head to work in a little while, but don't know what will be going on there...with sustained winds over 50 knots, the tower is usually evacuated...even with just 30 knot winds the tower sways, it's a very eerie feeling.

Everyone stay safe.

 

[Shortpig]

[SIZE=12pt]GOOD NEWS![/SIZE] My roof issue was where the snow around the vent melted faster than the snow elsewhere on my roof. My nephew came out and checked it to be sure. He came prepared to remove the snow and put a tarp over the area for me. Me is such a great fellow and I consider myself lucky to have him. He really enjoyed the opportunity to meet Bubba dog and pet him. He has been out here several times but had always avoided Bubba as he is big, and scary looking to people. He did however say that he wouldn't want to be the person who went in the backyard without me standing right there to tell Bubba it was ok.

 

[Crabby-Chicken]

I have been home now for 11 days straight. The first week that it rained and snowed we had ice everywhere that would not burn off since it is covered by trees. My son and I had finished shopping and were coming home and hit a patch of it. Soon, we were turning COMPLETELY around like someone grabbed my car and just gave it a spin. I was doing 25-30 max. I remember seeing a tree coming at the passenger door, for my son,,, I just said,,," I'm sorry". We luckily hit the dirt burm before we touched the tree. It was inches we missed it by. I was going in the complete opposite direction than where we started. IF there had been a car coming the opposite way I would have wiped them out. Scared the crap outta me.

We have only lost power for a few hours. And had stocked up on food and animal food. All I need is shavings now! Little pee horses. Geez. Kinda stressing me out because I have a mare that will be 300 days in 15 days! Yikes, no more!

Hope everyone else is doing well and not much damage.