One of the snowiest winters in years is starting take its toll on farm buildings around the state.
Officials are blaming heavy snow for a barn collapse in Londonderry that trapped nearly 100 animals and killed two cows on Sunday. Rescue crews were able to free all the animals other than the two cows that died.
Last Wednesday, immediately after a big storm left more than a foot of snow and sleet on Windham County, roofs on two barns in Putney collapsed. Twelve calves were killed in one of the incidents.
Other barns have collapsed in recent days in Chester and Essex. There have been no roof collapses on homes reported to any state agency thus far, but state officials are concerned that could change.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Department of Public Safety divisions of Emergency Management and Fire Safety, and the Vermont Department of Health are urging homeowners to continue to diligently monitor their roofs and clear off snow if it can be done so safely.
If there is a concern for personal safety while clearing a roof, a professional contractor should be called in to inspect the roof, or to clear the roof of snow.
“Farms have lost livestock to the barn collapses,” Deputy Agriculture Secretary Diane Bothfeld said. “There has been no loss of human life, but there are often farm workers in the barn throughout the day and there is a real safety concern for them if a roof collapses while they are working.”
Guidance for what constitutes a safe load of snow on your roof is based on a number of factors so not the same for every dwelling. It depends on the age of the roof, the amount of snow on the roof, and the weight of that snow.
Warm temperatures on Sunday and Monday have added to the weight of the snow.
John Wood, Director of the Vermont Division of Fire Safety says strange noises, cracking, or visible movement of rafters should be signs that your roof is headed for a collapse. However, he does caution that those signs won't necessarily be there before a collapse.
Officials offer these hints for dealing with the snow:
• Snow removal should only be performed by able-bodied adults, as the snow is heavy, and roofs and other surfaces may be slippery. Protective headgear and eye protection is recommended.
• Try to plan an escape route before you begin and keep safety the first priority.
• If roof snow can be removed with the use of a snow rake (available at most hardware stores), do so. Use caution, as metal snow rakes conduct electricity if they come into contact with a power line. Also be careful not to let large amounts of snow fall on you.
• Try to avoid working from ladders, as ladder rungs tend to ice up. Snow and ice collect on boot soles, and metal ladders.
• When clearing snow from a roof, work to ensure an even unloading from both sides at a time. Always work in pairs and use a safety line when clearing steep pitched roofs.
• It is also of utmost importance that all heating vents are checked and cleared of snow. A blocked heating vent can lead to carbon monoxide buildup in the home. All homes should be equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
These websites offer more advice and information:
• For more information about the current snow pack: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/btv/html/snow.shtml
• For more information about safely clearing your roof: www.vermontagriculture.com
• Vermont Fire Safety: www.vtfiresafety.org
• Vermont Department of Health: http://healthvermont.gov/
• Vermont Emergency Management: www.vemvt.com