PHOTOS: March Spring Storm in Midwest Causing Major, Ongoing Issues for Ranchers

Meteorologists have said it is like a hurricane over the plains. The March 13-14 storm has wreaked havoc on most of the plains and midwest states with rain, sleet, snow, wind, mud, flooding and freezing temperatures while many producers are in the thick of calving and lambing.

Amanda Radke: “At our place near Mitchell, S.D., it was freezing rain all day March 13, and March 14 brought more snow, wind and white-out conditions. The real challenge is going to be in the days to come. With warmer weather expected in the 10-day forecast, my fear is when all of this snow melts, the flooding will be catastrophic for many. The timing of this storm coincides with calving season, and the conditions have made for a difficult 48 hours so far.”

Cattle are ready for the sunshine. Photo by Jamie Schomp near Martin, SD

Photo by Savanna Simmons

Cauy Pennington standing on a drift behind the calving barn. Abbott Ranch, Kiowa, Colorado. Photo courtesy Pennington family

Edwin Vavra from Milligan, Neb., moving cattle out of floodwaters. The cows were moved to safety on higher ground. Edwin is the fourth generation to live on his farm which borders Turkey Creek. Edwin has lived in the same house all 76 years of his life. Photo by Beth Vavra

Near Casper, Wyoming. Photo by Jennifer DeFreece Rodgers, Barbed Wire Photography

Near Casper, Wyoming. Photo by Jennifer DeFreece Rodgers, Barbed Wire Photography

Photo by Tina Palmer

“Need bigger calf shelters! Digging calves out at Selby, SD.” Photo by Lazy TV Ranch

Near Pierre, SD. Photo by Therese Volmer

“Some of our bulls braving it at Vaad Ranch Oacoma – a lull in the wind so they came out for breakfast.” Photo by Loaun Vaad

Photo by Jamie Schomp

Photo by Jamie Schomp

Photo by Dustin Buffington

#NebraskaFlooding pic.twitter.com/s9eypPsRA9

— veniece (@veniece4) March 14, 2019

Ended up with about 50 acres worth of these in the hay meadow. Probably have them till June. Some are 3+ foot thick and big enough you could hold a square dance on. #nebraskaflooding pic.twitter.com/LkSufNbmAU

— Jared Jaixen (@jaredjaixen) March 15, 2019

NORFOLK, Nebraska:

Our @JetskeWauran and @owensiebring are in Norfolk.

They will bring you live coverage on Siouxland News at 5. #NebraskaFlooding #SiouxlandWX pic.twitter.com/UcG4SYYa0w

— Siouxland News (@SiouxlandNews) March 14, 2019

View of the Missouri @ the Pedestrian bridge in Omaha around sundown today. Iowa side / River’s Edge Park flooded. It was super windy & starting to sleet. #omaha #nebraskaflooding @NWSOmaha pic.twitter.com/CtaFEauoAf

— Taylor (@_tneagan) March 15, 2019

Buried and abandoned cars on E. Woodmen Rd. #CycloneBomb the day after pic.twitter.com/hdHiLErGka

— Bill Folsom (@KOAABillFolsom) March 14, 2019

Here’s #WinterStormUlmer with pressure of 975 mb and still dropping. #BombCyclone pic.twitter.com/S7dAk5vZg8

— Jen Carfagno (@JenCarfagno) March 13, 2019

Ice left on 12th St. Bridge over Skunk Creek@kelonews pic.twitter.com/9Ns7NsgOQP

— Kevin Kjergaard (@kevinkelo) March 15, 2019

Dale Vocu with Three Mile Creek Rodeo Co. shared a video of hand-digging stock out of snow near Kyle, South Dakota. Vocu says they were able to get both animals out.