River Hollow Farm Flood and Ice Recovery
Donation protected
13abc News Story - February 7, 2019
13abc News Update - February 12, 2019
Channel 11 News Update - February 21, 2019
River Hollow Farm is an equestrian facility in Perrysburg, Ohio that has been a staple of the local community since it was built in the 1960s. Through the years, it has been a second home for so many as both young children and adults have found their passion for horses and learned how to ride. While it brings joy and a sense of community to so many, the farm is currently enduring its most significant hardship and finding little to no help from the insurance that is supposed to be there when you need it the most.
The cold months of January lead to freezing of the nearby Maumee River. Ice built under a bridge, diverting river waters onto the farm and other adjacent properties. Flood waters were slow and steady until the night of February 6th. In a matter of 15 minutes, 3 feet of ice cold waters filled the barn and indoor riding arena. Employees, friends, family and strangers showed up at 10pm and waded through the waters to evacuate 26 horses to temporary stabling that was generously offered by community members. The waters receded within 24 hours but it had carried in 4 – 5 feet of ice that barreled through the property, taking away fences, trees and any structures in its way. The ice could not wash out, so 80% of the property remains buried under several feet of ice. Thankfully, the ice stopped short of the stabling to limit the damage to the primary buildings on the property but destroying everything else.
Purchasing replacement bedding for the stalls, grain and other supplies was already tough, but exacerbated further on February 15th when 1,000 bales of hay caught fire. Wet hay can spontaneously combust due to a chemical reaction that then produces a flammable gas. River Hollow stores hay in a building that is removed from the stabling and flooding initially impacted the lowest layer. Moisture then spread through the full stack, which created multiple points of fire. The entire 1,000 bales had to be safely removed and disposed, which represents the farm’s hay supply through June.
My family has owned River Hollow since 1995 and the memories and happiness have always outweighed the challenges. My parents are two of the kindest, most selfless individuals I know and, along with the farm’s horse trainers, the group represents an extremely hard-working team. These events have made the physical work even harder and the expenses even higher as we have lost so much.
Unfortunately, River Hollow Farm has experienced devastation in recent years when a similar event happened in 2015, but this current destruction is incomparable. Our insurance claim was denied in 2015, but we still managed to rebuild and recover. We are again battling for insurance coverage and do not expect near-term financial relief, if any. Purchasing insurance is buying a promise that the insurance company will be there when you need them most. Now is the time we need them most and have yet to see them recognize that they will fulfill any of that promise to us.
I know what this farm means to my family, our trainers, our customers and the community. My parents would give anything rebuild and restore the farm’s beauty and riding program but each day brings new challenges. Funds raised will immediately be used for replacing our hay, shavings and other feed and supplies that have been lost. Funds will also alleviate restoration costs of the indoor and outdoor riding arenas, both of which have been ruined but are critical to our riding program and summer camps. For required transparency purposes, note that all withdrawals are segregated in a River Hollow Farm bank account to ensure detailed accounting. As the owner of River Hollow, Nancy Hutson is also listed as an owner of the bank account.
Most importantly, all 26 horses and 2 mini donkeys are safe and happy and some have been able to return home. We are incredibly grateful for the individuals who helped ensure a safe evacuation and provided dry stabling while we continue to work through repairs and wait for the many feet of ice to melt.
Thank you for your thoughts, concern and consideration; every contribution makes a difference.
Pictures below attempt to capture the flood then the multiple feet of ice that still remains. To end on a brighter note, the last two pictures represent the pre-destruction beauty that we all know and love.
13abc News Update - February 12, 2019
Channel 11 News Update - February 21, 2019
River Hollow Farm is an equestrian facility in Perrysburg, Ohio that has been a staple of the local community since it was built in the 1960s. Through the years, it has been a second home for so many as both young children and adults have found their passion for horses and learned how to ride. While it brings joy and a sense of community to so many, the farm is currently enduring its most significant hardship and finding little to no help from the insurance that is supposed to be there when you need it the most.
The cold months of January lead to freezing of the nearby Maumee River. Ice built under a bridge, diverting river waters onto the farm and other adjacent properties. Flood waters were slow and steady until the night of February 6th. In a matter of 15 minutes, 3 feet of ice cold waters filled the barn and indoor riding arena. Employees, friends, family and strangers showed up at 10pm and waded through the waters to evacuate 26 horses to temporary stabling that was generously offered by community members. The waters receded within 24 hours but it had carried in 4 – 5 feet of ice that barreled through the property, taking away fences, trees and any structures in its way. The ice could not wash out, so 80% of the property remains buried under several feet of ice. Thankfully, the ice stopped short of the stabling to limit the damage to the primary buildings on the property but destroying everything else.
Purchasing replacement bedding for the stalls, grain and other supplies was already tough, but exacerbated further on February 15th when 1,000 bales of hay caught fire. Wet hay can spontaneously combust due to a chemical reaction that then produces a flammable gas. River Hollow stores hay in a building that is removed from the stabling and flooding initially impacted the lowest layer. Moisture then spread through the full stack, which created multiple points of fire. The entire 1,000 bales had to be safely removed and disposed, which represents the farm’s hay supply through June.
My family has owned River Hollow since 1995 and the memories and happiness have always outweighed the challenges. My parents are two of the kindest, most selfless individuals I know and, along with the farm’s horse trainers, the group represents an extremely hard-working team. These events have made the physical work even harder and the expenses even higher as we have lost so much.
Unfortunately, River Hollow Farm has experienced devastation in recent years when a similar event happened in 2015, but this current destruction is incomparable. Our insurance claim was denied in 2015, but we still managed to rebuild and recover. We are again battling for insurance coverage and do not expect near-term financial relief, if any. Purchasing insurance is buying a promise that the insurance company will be there when you need them most. Now is the time we need them most and have yet to see them recognize that they will fulfill any of that promise to us.
I know what this farm means to my family, our trainers, our customers and the community. My parents would give anything rebuild and restore the farm’s beauty and riding program but each day brings new challenges. Funds raised will immediately be used for replacing our hay, shavings and other feed and supplies that have been lost. Funds will also alleviate restoration costs of the indoor and outdoor riding arenas, both of which have been ruined but are critical to our riding program and summer camps. For required transparency purposes, note that all withdrawals are segregated in a River Hollow Farm bank account to ensure detailed accounting. As the owner of River Hollow, Nancy Hutson is also listed as an owner of the bank account.
Most importantly, all 26 horses and 2 mini donkeys are safe and happy and some have been able to return home. We are incredibly grateful for the individuals who helped ensure a safe evacuation and provided dry stabling while we continue to work through repairs and wait for the many feet of ice to melt.
Thank you for your thoughts, concern and consideration; every contribution makes a difference.
Pictures below attempt to capture the flood then the multiple feet of ice that still remains. To end on a brighter note, the last two pictures represent the pre-destruction beauty that we all know and love.
Organizer
Jen Kemp
Organizer
Perrysburg, OH
