On Sunday, a tornado swept through North Carolina causing significant damage to roads, power lines and homes. The National Weather Service reported on Monday that there were 135 mph winds. Our horse show family was also touched by this severe storm. Keith and Sydney Miller’s farm, which is located in Reidsville, North Carolina, was directly hit by the tornado destroying their covered arena. Luckily no people or animals were injured during the storm.
GoHorseShow talked to Sydney about her experience. According to Sydney, the weather for the day had been overcast and her husband, Keith was away doing a clinic in Ohio.
“I didn’t know anything about the impending weather, until a friend, Kelly Woodlief alerted me to it,” Sydney recalls. “Within about five minutes, a big storm rolled through my parent’s house which is only about a mile from our property. There were high winds and torrential rains, but nothing catastrophic.”
About 10 minutes after it was done, she received notifications on her phone that power and cameras were out at the farm.
“I had a bad feeling and asked my dad to take a ride with me over to check the horses while my mom watched Charley (her daughter). It took 45 min to get there and there was chaos everywhere,” Sydney recalls. “When we got to the farm, we immediately saw the covered arena was down. We ran in and checked all of the horses and relief washed over me when I realized that the horse who was supposed to be turned out in the covered arena overnight was mistakenly left in his field instead.”
Sydney reflects, “As upsetting as it is to see our farm in that condition, I feel so blessed that our home and horses were all spared. When I think of what could have happened, I am amazed at how God was truly watching over us. I am thankful for good friends who immediately came to see how they could help, and how many people have reached out to us since to offer assistance.”
“At this point, we have a local farm that has opened its door to us so that Keith can continue to ride as the cleanup happens, and the insurance will take care of the rest,” Sydney gratefully says. “Please pray for everyone in our area who were not as lucky as we were.”
