More than 45 animals rescued after barn collapses in Harvard amid severe storms
MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. — Severe storms brought strong winds, rain and hail to parts of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin on Tuesday afternoon, leaving behind some damage.
Amid the severe storms, a two-story barn in Harvard, Illinois, collapsed while animals were inside.
Officials from the Harvard Fire Protection District say they were called to the scene in the 10800 block of Weidner Road, in unincorporated Harvard, just after 2:30 p.m. following reports that multiple animals were trapped after a barn collapsed in the area.
Fire crews arrived on the scene within minutes of the collapse, and after observing the extensive damage, additional help was called.
Officials say all of the animals in the barn lived on the lower level, but it is unclear how many were inside prior to the collapse.
According to fire officials, a void was created on the lower level when the barn collapsed, which protected and saved nearly all the animals inside.
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Fire crews pulled 24 sheep, 18 goats, a cow, and multiple chickens and ducks from the wreckage, but four of the animals were confirmed dead and two others remain unaccounted for.
SkyCam9 was over the scene around 4:23 p.m. when crews could be spotted searching through the wreckage.
Officials say no people were injured in the collapse, and the weather is believed to have been a factor. At the time the emergency calls were made, heavy rain and intense winds passed through the area.
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