A derecho*on June 6th resulted in the complete destruction of a layer house and severe damage to an adjacent building both equipped with 4-tier manure belt cages.  The extreme wind conditions also caused minor damage to other buildings on the South side of the complex and to adjacent pullet houses.

Fortunately, no one was injured and after stabilizing structures a team was able to remove and salvage hens from the houses and to restore water supply to prevent dehydration.  Egg conveying was not impacted and with the exception of the supply from the damaged houses, production, packing and deliveries continue.

According to the Denver Post the storm system resulted in 91 reports to the Office of the State Meteorologist of high wind and damage with 17 areas recording wind velocities in excess of 75 miles per hour. The front resulted in a sharp decline in temperature with unseasonal snowfall.

* A derecho is a uniform linear line of severe storms along a band 250 miles wide with a sustained wind speed of 50 miles per hour and with gusts above 75 miles per hour. This is the first recorded derecho event for Colorado.