Sunday night here in Central Arkansas we had an EF3 tornado that killed several folks.
But I had 11 beehives and several NUCS scattered to all over a pasture.
The land owner of one of my beeyards lost his barn and a few cows.
One of my Nucs was found 1/4 mile away.
I am putting ratchet tie down straps on all my hives and Nucs from now on.
At least they'll be in one piece instead of being scattered all over the place.
I don't know if the bees will survive or not, they got thrown around, hailed on, rained on and spent the night open in a cow pasture.
The tornado missed my place by 1/4 mile.
Sorry to hear Capt. Glad you're okay and no heavy damage.
Some lessons are hard, but if something is learned, the next time around will be different.
Hope your bees come back strong, despite the tossing around. What a ride!
Bees are pretty resilient. If any of the cluster stuck together you should be okay. Glad you got through it,and thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by these violent storms.
On a brighter note,there may be more bee trees around in the aftermath with bent and broken open trunks.
:th_thumbsupup: on the ratchet straps capt. Been using them here for the last 5 years.
Glad your alright! Bees can be replaced.
Glad you're ok Capt.
Sending love and warmth and dryness to you and your area!
love,
ziffa
Glad you're OK capt.
Glad your OK. Don't know if straps will help in case of a tornado though. I have seen several brick homes that are now just a slab. Good luck
Joe
Quote from: Joe D on May 02, 2014, 02:04:49 AM
Glad your OK. Don't know if straps will help in case of a tornado though. I have seen several brick homes that are now just a slab. Good luck
Joe
Seriously!!!! I had no idea. I'm from Canada and except for a few minor tornadoes in Southern Ontario they are not a problem. I would have figured that brick would be safe.
Before I retired I would visit a facility in Wichita KS and since it was brick I figured we were good to go. Maybe the method of construction is key.
At least with the straps they stay together when turned over. Much better protection than a rock!
Quote from: flyboy on May 02, 2014, 11:21:42 AM
Quote from: Joe D on May 02, 2014, 02:04:49 AM
Glad your OK. Don't know if straps will help in case of a tornado though. I have seen several brick homes that are now just a slab. Good luck
Joe
Seriously!!!! I had no idea. I'm from Canada and except for a few minor tornadoes in Southern Ontario they are not a problem. I would have figured that brick would be safe.
Before I retired I would visit a facility in Wichita KS and since it was brick I figured we were good to go. Maybe the method of construction is key.
It's not just the wind in a tornado that gets you. The debris that it picks up acts like a huge grinder. Nothing much that's man made can stand up to one. The only place safe is under ground.
Capt, Sorry to hear that you took a hit. I feel for anyone who goes through that kind of an event. We don't see many tornadoes here our nemesis is the hurricane. I've been thinking about how to prep for one. Straps on each hive and screw anchor tiedowns might work, I don't know. After going through Hugo I'm not sure if there's any sure methods.
Glad you made it without loss of health and home.
Ray
Glad you are OK Capt. I have straps on most of mine to slowdown the bears. I doubt that they would have helped much if the hives were thrown through the air.
We had a small, 20' wide, tornado cut a brick house in half 2 miles from my farm. The husband and wife were sitting in their living room. Heard the back wall coming apart, they both turned and went through doors behind them and closed the doors. After it passed, they both opened the doors to find the room they were siting in completely gone. The material was thrown over a thousand feet. Only the floor remained in that room. One half of the house did not have to be replaced, the other side was shaken enough that they had to tear it down.
Talk about 2 lucky people to be alive.
Jim