When severe weather strikes—whether it’s high winds, hail, flooding, or the worst-case scenario, a tornado—having a well‑defined recovery plan in place is crucial. At Valley View Agri-Systems, we understand that protecting your grain, equipment, and most importantly, the safety of your team is the top priority. Below, we outline the essential steps to take before and after a weather‑related incident, how to decide what can be salvaged versus what needs rebuilding, and the key pieces of equipment you may need to replace in a bin‑loop system.
Develop a Pre‑Disaster Action Plan
- Risk Assessment & Site Mapping
- Identify high‑risk areas on your farm for flooding, wind damage, or lightning strikes.
- Map out each grain bin, drying system, and conveyor route so everyone knows exactly what’s on site.
- Emergency Communication
- Establish a clear chain of command.
- Maintain updated contact lists for your team, local emergency services, and grain bin dealers for rapid parts replacement.
- Backup Power & Data
- Invest in a backup generator to keep your portable grain dryer and control systems running if the grid goes down.
- Regularly back up moisture‑monitoring logs, inventory data, and bin management settings to off‑site storage or cloud services.
- Safety Drills & Training
- Conduct quarterly drills so every employee knows evacuation routes and safety procedures.
- Train staff on how to safely shut down electrical systems, conveyors, and in‑bin drying systems in the event of an approaching storm.
Post‑Event Assessment: Salvage vs. Rebuild
After the skies clear, the priority is ensuring everyone is safe. Only once the site is deemed structurally secure should you begin an operational assessment.
- Safety Inspection
- Have a licensed structural engineer or qualified inspector survey all bins, towers, and support frameworks.
- Safety first: damaged ladders, catwalks, or handrails are immediate hazards—cordon off these areas.
- Grain Quality Check
- Inspect grain for moisture spikes, leaks, or contamination from debris.
- Transfer salvageable grain to an alternate bin or portable grain dryer for conditioning.
- Equipment Evaluation
- Walk through each component of your bin‑loop system: conveyors, bucket elevators, augers, aisles, and control panels.
- Label items as “Salvageable,” “Repair Required,” or “Replace.”
- In making these decisions, prioritize operational and personnel safety over repair costs.
Replacing Critical Components in a Bin‑Loop System
Should a tornado demolish one or more grain bins in your loop, the following list highlights the primary equipment pieces you’ll likely need to replace through your trusted grain bin dealer, Valley View Agri-Systems: 
- Grain Bins & Roof Cones
- Structural walls, roof cones, and vents.
- Bin Aeration & In-Bin Drying Systems
- Fans, ductwork, perforated floor sections, and controls for in‑bin drying systems.
- Conveyance Equipment
- Bucket elevator legs, head housings, and boots.
- Swing-away spouts, drive units, and safety cages.
- Augers & Conveyor Belts
- Screw sections, flighting, gearboxes, and motors.
- Belt sections, rollers, and skirting.
- Control Panels & Sensors
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), moisture probes, temperature sensors, and wiring harnesses.
- Portable Grain Dryer
- Burner units, heat exchangers, and blower motors—essential for conditioning grain while permanent bins are offline.
- Auxiliary Safety Equipment
- Ladders, guardrails, fall‑protection anchors, and emergency-stop switches.
Safety Over Cost: Making the Right Call
Cost considerations are inevitable, but no dollar amount compares to human safety. When evaluating damaged components:
- Never compromise on structural integrity. A repaired but weakened bin wall could collapse under load.
- Replace worn or damaged safety features immediately—handrails, ladders, and lockout/tagout switches are non‑negotiable.
- Document everything for insurance claims: take timestamped photos, log inspection reports, and gather repair estimates.
Rebuilding & Getting Back to Work
- Engage Your Grain Bin Dealer
- Coordinate with Valley View for expedited delivery of replacement bins and parts.
- Phased Restoration
- Dry and store critical loads first using portable grain dryer rentals if needed.
- Rebuild primary grain bins before secondary or overflow facilities.
- Post‑Rebuild Inspection
- After construction, perform a full safety audit and test-run all conveyors, fans, and dryers under load.
- Update Your Plan
- Incorporate lessons learned: revise your emergency plan, improve training, and consider additional investments in storm‑resistant bin designs or backup systems.
Natural disasters are an unavoidable part of agricultural life, but their impact on your grain management operation can be mitigated with a solid plan, rigorous safety standards, and quick access to replacement equipment. At Valley View Agri-Systems, we partner with you every step of the way. Contact us today to ensure your operation is storm proof and ready for whatever Mother Nature throws your way.