Carson City Community Rallies for Tornado-Hit Fenwick Dairy Farm

A tornado struck Hull’s Dairy Farm in Fenwick, Michigan, on Tuesday night, causing significant structural damage and displacing hundreds of livestock. The storm, which occurred just before 11 p.m., flattened several buildings and scattered debris across the property.

The impact of the tornado left hundreds of cows loose on the farm. First responders spent several hours throughout the night wrangling the cattle while rain continued to fall. By the following morning, an estimated 100 cows remained loose.

Community Response and Recovery

Following the destruction, local residents, friends, and family members have organized to assist the farm owners with cleanup and animal care. Nearby farms volunteered to house and care for cattle that could no longer be kept at Hull’s Dairy Farm due to the loss of buildings.

Community members have also assisted in ensuring the cows remaining on the property are milked and cared for. On Wednesday, dozens of people were observed organizing animals and moving farm equipment to begin the initial recovery process.

I can’t thank them enough, and I appreciate each and every one of them that have showed up to help today. We couldn’t have done it without them and it’s such a great feeling to have the community pull together like this when something awful happens

Janet Hull, co-owner of Hull’s Dairy Farm

Janet Hull noted that the process of clearing debris will be slow, describing the current state of the farm as a mess.

Damage Assessment and Investigation

The damage at the farm included the destruction of a barn used to house cows, as well as damage to the primary residence and other farm buildings. Outside the farm, the storm left a trail of damage between Fenwick and Carson City, where massive trees were ripped from the ground.

One Fenwick farmer reported that the winds sounded like a train during the event. The National Weather Service is surveying the area to confirm the tornado and assess the extent of the damage.