Farm animals, pets also affected by flood
Ruins are all that is left of a chicken run Rex Thompson of Kentucky had built for his mother a month before the Connellsville and Bullskin Township floods. His mother, Elda Thompson, lost half of her chickens after water swept through her Breakneck Road home Aug. 28.
Rex Thompson of Kentucky says half of the 18 chickens they bought for his mother Elda Thompson, 94, on Mother’s Day, were lost after flood water’s swept through his mother’s Breakneck home August 28. Thompson says you don’t often think about animals being afraid, but when he opened the chicken coop the day after the floods “you could see the terror in their eyes.”
Animals are additional victims of the flooding in Bullskin Township and Connellsville Aug. 28.
Lori Mozina-Ogurchak, executive director of the Westmoreland and Fayette County Animal Response Team, said many farm animals are confined to barns after the flooding tainted water sources and caused deep ruts in pastureland. She said at least five farms along Breakneck Road were heavily damaged.
A pig was killed in the flood, and a group of chickens is missing. A neighbor took three goats into his barn after they were spotted after the floods. She said other animals may have been lost or killed that were not reported to the team.
“It was a lot of area, and chaotic,” she said. “We’re talking over 100 animals that were affected.”
Among those are sheep, cattle, donkeys, horses, chickens and other farm animals. Many fences were washed away in the floods, and oil and sewage soaked into the soil of pasture areas.
“In some areas, it’s just like a tornado went through,” she said. “Wherever the water happened to go, it wiped out practically everything.”
She said smaller tributaries along Route 119 flooded after becoming clogged with debris over time. The downpour caused those channels to flood into farmland.
Insects attracted to the sludge are now causing problems for the animals.
The team is accepting donations. She said the biggest need is for square hay bails, lime, panel fencing, grain feed and other animal feed.
Many pets were caught up in flood waters, causing oil to coat their fur. Other pets are still missing.
She said they distributed donations to 93 families, but expect that many more were impacted. Pets are in need of flea shampoo, medication and collars.
The team is also collecting oatmeal shampoo, collars, leashes, cat litter, scoops and boxes, pet beds, dog treats, food lids, brushes, combs, crates, carriers and other donations.
Items can be dropped off at the Shallenberger Complex and soccer field along Breakneck Road.
Anyone in need of assistance can call 724-838-0420 or email westmorelandcart@comcast.net.