I’m Alaina, a 43-year-old living on N 2nd St in Burlington. Rural Kansas storms can be brutal, but last week’s straight-line winds ripped right through our small equipment shelter. The wind shear tore the corrugated metal roofing loose and buckled two critical load-bearing 6x6 posts, leaving the structure hanging precariously over our feed supply and small utility tractor.

Our farm-utility insurance policy has a high $2,500 deductible that excludes wind uplift damage on non-enclosed pole structures. The materials and crane-rigging labor to shore up the posts and secure new metal sheets are priced at $4,600 out-of-pocket. If another storm hits this week, the whole frame will collapse onto our machinery. I am swallowing my pride to ask for help from our community. Every dollar goes directly toward framing lumber and hardware. Thank you!