When the National Weather Service predicted thatHurricane Florencewould hit North Carolina , our phone started ringing . Loved 1 wanted to have a go at it whether my hubby , Jerry , and I were train for the tempest . As it turn out we were not inclined — and we did n’t have much time to rectify that .
Hurricane Florence wreaked havoc in North and South Carolina when it made landfall Sept. 14 . The storm deck more than 30 inches of rain on coastal cities . It broke rainfall records , toppled tree diagram , downed index lines and led to widespread implosion therapy that put major roads under water .
We were fortunate . Our little farm , home to stooge , chicken and a domestic ass , was far enough inland that the tempest did n’t cause too much damage — good news show because we have too many brute to move in a single slip with a livestock trailer , and even if we could have ravish them , we had nowhere to go . So , in advance of the violent storm , we did everything we could to stockpile up on solid food and batten down the hatch , er , barn horse barn .
Thegoatshunkered down inside the barn and eat up hay until the tempest egest , and ehen the rain stopped , we groom a calamity architectural plan . Here is that plan .
1. Prepare the Barn
Our barn dates to the forties and is showing its historic period . We reattached some loose metallic element on the ceiling as well as sagging siding ; cloth such as lawn tools and stacks of scrap wood ( with bungee cords ) that could have gone airborne in high winds and hurt the goats also got some attention . We also finally called a contractile organ about replacing the roof . The barn could stand firm too many more storms in that condition .
2. Stock Up on Food and Water
Several local roadstead were unpassable for days following Hurricane Florence . Thanks to dim hazard , we had enough caryopsis and hay on hand to last for a few weeks . The next time we pick up a tempest is add up , we ’ll check our feed provision to verify we can keep the mangers and pail full if we have to shelter in topographic point .
Losing power was a major business organization . We ’re on a well , so no power means no water . We meet the big metal bowl that we habituate to brood chicks ( and covered it with a metal grating so no trivial critters could go down in ) and had it waiting just in character .
3. Protect Lost Animals
Our dogs have collar with ID tags and microchips , but we never think about interchangeable “ just in case ” measures for the Capricorn . The Washington State Animal Response Team recommends lasting ID method such as freeze mark , brands and microchips as well as hackamore and collars with engraved identification tags . We also took updated photo of the goats — taking shots from all angles — in font the animals get out during a catastrophe and we need to post “ mazed ” notice online and around town .
4. Create a “Go” Kit
If we ever require to empty , we have a plastic baggie with copies of our important animal records , include a tilt of names , sexual urge , breed and colors of all of our farm animal ; health record ; and contact information for the local extension place , farm insurance agent , and local USDA and FSA offices .
5. Brace for the Worst
Although we were far enough from the storm ’s itinerary and could shelter in place , questions about whether we planned to evacuate made me realize that we could n’t leave because we had nowhere to go . travel with goats is n’t like go with dogs ; no hotel has a “ butt fee ” that allows ruminants in the room . Goats postulate a pasture with secure fencing and shelter .
The Humane Society of the United States suggests checking with fairgrounds , raceway , humanist societies and convention centers along evacuation routes to investigate about facilities to shelter stock . We be after to ask friends in a neighboring county whether our fiddling herd can move to their farm in case we ever require to void .
I hope we never have to put our disaster program into action but , if we do , we ( including our Capricorn the Goat ) are make .
