My Farm After a Microburst Thunderstorm

May 22, 2026

My Farm After a Microburst Thunderstorm

Everyone is busy cleaning up at my farm after a microburst storm barreled through the region with destructive winds and rain.

It's so heartbreaking to see images of areas ravaged by any storm. Earlier this week, we were hit by a microburst - a small, intense downdraft from a thunderstorm that produces extremely strong, damaging winds gusting more than 70-miles per hour. Many roads were closed because of fallen trees and power lines. I feel extremely fortunate my farm escaped any serious structural damage. I lost a lot of trees and branches, but my outdoor grounds crew is working very hard to get things back into shape.

Here are some photos.

: The worst part of the storm lasted less than an hour, but the tree damage was great around my farm.

: I drove around to assess the damage early the next morning. Many trees were down.

: This broken branch was caught in another tree which kept it from falling to the ground.

: Trees fell and broke stone walls.

: Some of the trees were toppled by gale force winds.

: And others broke close to the base, possibly by lightening.

: Here’s a tree completely pulled from the ground by nature.

: Carriage roads were blocked by fallen debris.

: Here’s another section of wall damaged by an uprooted tree.

: And another uprooted tree in the woodland. Small trees with intact roots can sometimes be saved, but sadly many will need to go.

: All these uprooted trees need to be cut into manageable sections, made into wood chips and returned to the earth. I try very hard never to waste anything.

: Here is another downed tree. Whenever approaching an uprooted tree or any storm related damage, be sure there are no power lines nearby.

: This is a giant maple tree in my Run-In paddock. Fortunately, all my horses were safe in their stable during the storm.

: Here is the crown of the tree on the ground. This will also have to be cut up in sections before it is removed from the area and chipped.

: And here is what is left of its trunk.

: By mid-morning, everyone on the farm was helping with clean up. Here’s Ryan straightening a young tree. I am glad it was staked and well-secured. I always stake young trees to give them added support. It was leaning, but still in good condition.