An outbuilding on Whitley County had its garage doors blown in, followed by the exterior wall panels being blown out during a microbust that hit Whitley County. The photo, taken by Whitley County Emergency Management, was shared with the National Weather Service of Northern Indiana.

News Release

LAGRANGE COUNTY — A series of recent storms damaged some barns and homes in the area. Jeff Burbrink, Purdue Extension’s Agriculture Educator in LaGrange County, offered some advice on repairing those structures.

Burbrink urged caution around damaged buildings. There are often hazards like nails, splintered boards and unstable walls or roofs. Protective eyewear, sturdy shoes and gloves are good to have on hand when sorting through storm damage. Electrical and gas connections should be shut off to the area also.

After such a loss, there is often a sense of urgency to rebuild and repair, Burbrink said. He encouraged people to think through the process before rushing in to do repairs. “As a wise farmer once told me, there always seems to be a post in the wrong place in these barns, and this might be an opportunity to improve upon the situation,” the extension educator said.

Some older barns may have a limited life expectancy, weakened foundations, or may not be able to accommodate modern sized equipment. The money put into repairs may not have much of a payback financially or in a practical sense.

He also urged people to document the damage. “Get your insurance company out to the site as soon as you can, and take pictures from many angles to help provide a record if questions come up later,” he said.

On the bright side, Burbrink noted the ag community is always known for helping others in hard times. Its not unusual to hear stories of neighbors taking in livestock or pitching in to cut up downed trees. “It is a part of the fabric of the community,” he said.