Severe Thunderstorms and Your Livestock

Livestock can become injured or die during thunderstorm situations. Debris displaced by high winds, or hail - especially large sized pellets - can cause injury to animals left outdoors. Lightning can kill animals when they are near a fence or tree that receives a lightning discharge. Protect your livestock during thunderstorms by following the following guidelines.

Before a Severe Storm

• Maintain an inventory.
  • Keep a current list of all animals on your farm; include their location and any records of ownership.
• Have identification for all animals.
  • Make sure animals have some form of permanent identification (e.g., ear tags, tattoos).
• Prepare an emergency kit.
  • Severe storms can lead to power outages, animal escape or injury, have the following items on hand:
    • Handling equipment (e.g., halters, nose leads)
    • water, feed, and buckets
    • medications
    • tools and supplies needed for manure cleanup
    • safety and emergency items for your vehicles and trailers.
  • Have well maintained backup generators or alternate power sources for livestock production operations.
• Ensure a safe environment.
  • Assess the stability and safety of barns and other structures.
  • Remove dead trees or objects from fields or livestock areas that may serve as potential flying debris.
  • Fence off or remove single trees in pastures to prevent animals from congregating under them; ground any trees left in pastures.
  • Ground wire fences. Current can travel up to two miles through a wire fence, which could be harmful to both livestock and humans.

During a Severe Storm

• Be aware animal behavior may change before, during and even after a disaster.
• Livestock safety.
  • If possible, bring animal into a barn or shelter well in advance of a storm.
  • Make sure they have plenty of food and water.
  • Keep them away from areas with windows.
  • NEVER leave animals tied up or restrained outside.

After a Severe Storm

• Assess your animals and building structures.
  • Survey damage to your barns and other structures; assess the stability and safety.
  • Examine your animals closely; contact your veterinarian if you observe injuries.
• Cleanup safely.
  • Gather and dispose of trash, limbs, wire, and damaged equipment that could harm livestock.
• Provide non-contaminated feed or water.
  • Provide clean, uncontaminated water.
  • Do not feed flood damaged or moldy feed or hay.
  • Do not use any feed or forage that may have been contaminated by chemical or pesticides.
• Animal disposal.
  • Record any animal deaths.
  • Dispose of dead carcasses.
  • Check with your state or local authorities for proper disposal methods for animal carcasses.