Big Storm coming - Need Answers Quick

annette · January 03, 2008, 02:30:57 PM

Hi Dear People,

As most of you already know, a very big storm is approaching the west coast. We are expected to have winds up to 50MPH here in Placerville.

Well, I never experienced winds like this here, and I am concerned about the bee hives and how well they will do in these winds.

I placed 6 bricks on top of each hive, closed up the SBB (to reduce the wind on them) and that is it.

Will they be OK with just the 6 bricks on top. I know in hurricane winds, some people strap down the hives. This is not hurricane winds, I don't think.

Please respond ASAP while there is still time to do something more.

Thanks
Annette

pdmattox · January 03, 2008, 02:44:38 PM

That sound pretty good. How high of the ground is your hives? How big are the hives(how many boxes)?

randydrivesabus · January 03, 2008, 02:46:05 PM

do you have a wind break between the expected direction of the wind and your hives? 50mph is a pretty strong wind but not exceptional for some of us. good luck

Kathyp · January 03, 2008, 02:47:17 PM

i have these winds often. about 30lbs on top of each hive usually does me in 50 mph winds. things to consider: from which direction is the wind coming? is the temp going to be low? will there be rain with the wind? is there anything around that might crash on your hive.

wind from the side can lift the hive top if there is no overhang. low temps and wind are deadly. if you can in some way block or insulate (maybe cardboard and duct tape) it will help. wind and rain can blow under cover and wet the inside of your hive.

you can close the bottom of the hive with the SBB insert, or some cardboard. duct tape will temporarily seal the top of the hive. your entrance reducer should be sufficient for the front. you don't want to suffocate them. :-)

a note for you....STAY INSIDE while the winds blow. a piece of tin roofing blowing through the air will slice off you head as surely as a jihadists sword would. once the wind starts, the critters are on their own!

Jerrymac · January 03, 2008, 02:49:43 PM

I have one cinder block on my hives and they have made it through 70.... yes 70 mph winds while stacked four deeps high. And they are out in the wide open. no wind break

BeeHopper · January 03, 2008, 02:55:14 PM

Annette,

You're good to go. A wind break, bricks on top and the Bee Glue inside will hold up well. I believe it was Jerrymac who gave me the same encouraging words last year when I had the same concerns :-D

BH

annette · January 03, 2008, 03:03:06 PM

The wind will hit them from the side - south, south west . I have telescoping covers on both hives. 6 bricks on each. The temperatures will be in the 40-50 range. There will be rain also. I went up and cleared everything away that could possibly hit them.

They are sitting on extremely heavy, durable tables that are about 18" off the ground. These tables were special made for me and the hives actually sit down in the table into a groove so the hives cannot slid. The hives are 3 medium supers each. I closed up the SBB with the inserts. They have good ventilation with the 4" reducer on the bottom and a small top side entrance.

I do not have any wind break around the hives. Last year I had haystacks, but they fell apart this year.

I think I covered everything you are all asking me.

What do you think?

Annette

annette · January 03, 2008, 03:07:31 PM

Quote from: Jerrymac on January 03, 2008, 02:49:43 PM
I have one cinder block on my hives and they have made it through 70.... yes 70 mph winds while stacked four deeps high. And they are out in the wide open. no wind break

This is encouraging and so is beehopper's response. Thanks also to PDMattox and Randy.

Just no windbreak.

Thanks so much for help. I just love how quickly all you people come together to help so fast. This response was amazing.
I will keep you posted.
Kathyp, yes I plan on staying inside.

Sincerely
Annette

pdmattox · January 03, 2008, 03:22:35 PM

Sounds like you got them secured well. Good luck.

DayValleyDahlias · January 03, 2008, 07:38:53 PM

The rains have just hot here Annette...we are getting the same 3 systems here on the Central Coast...Santa Cruz Mountains could be hit hard...I am hunkered down, so are the bees I hope!

ElDoBill · January 03, 2008, 08:00:51 PM

Annette, I have a concrete block on top of my telescoping cover, but I left the SSB open. If you recall I have a rather large granite rock to the windward side of the hive which will block the wind up to about 2 1/2 feet. Let's hope all of our hives survive intact.

Brian D. Bray · January 03, 2008, 08:37:49 PM

Quote from: Jerrymac on January 03, 2008, 02:49:43 PM
I have one cinder block on my hives and they have made it through 70.... yes 70 mph winds while stacked four deeps high. And they are out in the wide open. no wind break

I use 2 red bricks on my hives. They held together until sustained winds hit 80mph with gusts to 95mph then they blew over. Minimal wind break=picket fence.

reinbeau · January 03, 2008, 08:39:30 PM

I have cobblestones in the yard, so there's two on each hive top. It would take one heck of a wind to knock them off, they're solid granite blocks!

annette · January 03, 2008, 08:56:28 PM

Quote from: DayValleyDahlias on January 03, 2008, 07:38:53 PM
The rains have just hot here Annette...we are getting the same 3 systems here on the Central Coast...Santa Cruz Mountains could be hit hard...I am hunkered down, so are the bees I hope!

Good Luck to you also. We should be ok.

If my power goes out, (which it usually does with high winds) I will be in touch when I can.

Quote from: ElDoBill on January 03, 2008, 08:00:51 PM
Annette, I have a concrete block on top of my telescoping cover, but I left the SSB open. If you recall I have a rather large granite rock to the windward side of the hive which will block the wind up to about 2 1/2 feet. Let's hope all of our hives survive intact.

Bill, You might want to close up the SBB when the high winds come. I remember that granite rock, but I never heard of winds here at 50MPH. That is something unusual.

Annette

Jerrymac · January 03, 2008, 09:02:55 PM

See how different places are. I think nothing of 50 mph winds. They always happen. Around here you pretty much think about the wind in everything you do. Like don't leave your lawn chairs out. Put up the swimming pool floats. Be sure your mail box is closed tight. Just little things or you might find your stuff a mile away caught in the weeds..... if you're lucky.

annette · January 03, 2008, 09:59:53 PM

The winds really wreck havoc around here. Always no electricity due to downed trees. We have pretty mild weather conditions around this area except for the intensely hot summers.

I am probably over reacting, but thought I should take precautions.

Annette

Michael Bush · January 03, 2008, 10:21:51 PM

Sounds like you are set.

Angi_H · January 04, 2008, 01:16:01 AM

HERE in the central valley of Ca 50mph winds near the river here is not un common even in summer. I have the garage that will block most of the west to east winds but nothing from north to south winds.

Angi

tig · January 04, 2008, 07:34:41 AM

you sound pretty set up. as long as they are off the ground so theres no water build up and you have those 6 blocks on,....you should be safe enough. my hives went thru a category 5 hurricane with just on block on top and they also had telescoping covers. they were 18 inches off the ground with one super on top and there were no casualties. goodluck with the storm and be safe.

Cindi · January 04, 2008, 11:39:31 AM

Annette, I see your last post was around 9:00 last night. That would be forum time, you are in the same time zone as me, so that would have been 6:00 P.M.

How did thing work out with your hives, by the sounds of it you were well prepared. Good. Hope all went well and your mind is relieved. Have a wonderful, great day, Cindi