Four animals die in the collapsed Harvard barn caused by Tuesday’s storms

STATELINE (WIFR) – Strong winds and heavy rains caused significant damage across the Stateline on Tuesday.

The Harvard Fire Department responded to the 10000 block of Weidner Road just after 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. at Harvard due to the collapse of a two-story barn with trapped animals.

“The barn was completely leveled,” said Harvard Fire Chief John Kimmel.

The Harvard Fire Department believed heavy rain and winds blowing through the area Tuesday afternoon may have been responsible for the collapse of the barn that trapped more than three dozen animals.

Firefighters safely removed 24 sheep, 18 goats, 1 cow and several chickens and ducks. Four animals are dead and two are missing. No people were injured.

“Everyone did a good job. Nobody was injured. The animals that were able to be saved were saved and the homeowners are happy,” says Kimmel.

“Suddenly it started hailing really hard and then it disappeared within a minute. And then we heard the sirens,” said Mary Stefely of Harvard.

Stefely was working at Hail 911 making appointments for roofers as the storms hit Harvard.

“I was just so sad about all the animals because I don’t know if they all got out,” Stefely said.

The homeowners, who did not want to be on camera, said the community supported them.

“We’re very family oriented, you know, helping people when they need help. So I hope they get a lot of help because they’re going to need it,” Stefely said.

Tuesday’s downpour also flooded streets, leaving cars nowhere to go. Loves Park resident Jon Akins says the school bus couldn’t even drop his daughter off at their home.

“We had to go past the car to get my daughter. The bus made it, but it was bloody time consuming getting her off.”

Jon says this happens every year or two. He says the water drains within 20 minutes, but wishes the street he lives on had a stronger drainage system.

“I don’t want people to get stuck. We need help with this. We don’t know what to do,” Akins said.

“A few years ago when there was a flood, there were kids out here with pool noodles,” says Jon’s fiancé, Joy Guy.

The National Weather Service will send a team Wednesday to determine whether the damage to the Harvard Barn was caused by straight-line winds or a tornado.

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