Tornadoes and Your Livestock

Livestock can become injured, displaced or die during tornado situations. Protecting your livestock from tornados involves the following measures.

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).
• Have an emergency plan.
  • Tornadoes can cause structural damage and power outages.
  • Have well maintained backup generators or alternate power sources for livestock production operations.
  • In the event of animal escape, have handling equipment (e.g., halters, nose leads) and safety and emergency items for your vehicles and trailers.
• Ensure a safe environment.
  • Assess the stability and safety of barns and other structures.
  • Remove loose objects from fields or livestock areas that may become potential flying debris.

During a Severe Storm

• Be aware animal behavior may change before, during and even after a disaster.
• Livestock sense tornadoes in advance.
  • If your family or house is at risk, ignore livestock.
  • If your personal security isn’t threatened, you may only have time to open routes of escape for your livestock.
• Livestock safety.
  • If possible, bring animals 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 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.