Storms Rattle Central Kentucky Horse Farms

Darby Dan Farm was left without power or telephone service Friday morning because of an overnight storm that ripped roofs off houses and damaged homes in Central Kentucky, but most Bluegrass horse farms appear to have emerged relatively unscathed.

Several homes were destroyed by the storm, which included at least two tornadoes, and more than 15,500 people were without power. At Darby Dan on Old Frankfort Pike, farm administrator Carol Schmelz is handling the power loss by booking mares via cell phone. Office employees were sent home.

Schmelz said there is damage to the front of the farm, including the pillar for the Darby Dan sign. All the horses appeared to be fine, Schmelz said, but there remains a downed "hot" wire in the field that needs to be removed.

"We're handling it--it's not as bad as the ice storm," said Schmelz in reference to a massive ice storm that struck the area last winter.

No other farms contacted reported any storm damage. These include Buckram Oak Farm, which is across the road from Darby Dan, as well as neighboring farms Crestwood, Hill 'n' Dale, and Vinery, just to the north.

No other reports of damage had come out as of Friday morning.