Heavy Snow Causes Partial Barn Roof Collapse in Kewaunee County

No injuries reported as animals escape unharmed after roof gives way under weight of snow

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:04am

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A section of the roof at a dairy farm in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin collapsed on Sunday morning due to heavy snowfall in the area. The National Weather Service reported over 20 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 55 mph in the region. Despite the damage, there were no injuries to people or animals at the seven-generation Junion Homestead farm.

Why it matters

The partial roof collapse highlights the challenges that extreme winter weather can pose for agricultural operations in the region. Farms must be prepared to protect their livestock and infrastructure from the impacts of heavy snow and high winds, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change.

The details

According to a video sent to a local TV station, a portion of the roof above a holding area at the Junion Homestead farm near Casco, Wisconsin collapsed on March 15 due to the weight of the snow. The farm, which was founded in 1868 and hosted the 2018 Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm, was able to evacuate all animals safely before the incident.

  • The roof collapse occurred on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • The National Weather Service reported over 20 inches of snow in Kewaunee County, with top wind gusts reaching 45 to 55 miles per hour.

The players

Junion Homestead

A seven-generation dairy farm in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin that was founded in 1868.

National Weather Service

The federal agency that monitors and reports on weather conditions across the United States.

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The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of proactive measures to protect agricultural infrastructure and livestock from the impacts of extreme winter weather, which is becoming more common due to climate change. Farms must be prepared with robust emergency plans and resilient building designs to safeguard their operations during severe storms.