Storm topples Morrison barn: Resident escapes moments before collapse

Cows on the farm of Lynn and Deon Stoecker stand in front of their former home, a more thn 100-year-old bard, that collapsed under the strain of Friday night's violent thunderstorms. Lynn Stoecker had been in the barn preparing to feed his cattle when he heard a crack and escaped moments before the building was turned into a pile of rubble.

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MORRISON – A pile of wooden rubble is all that remains of Lynn and Deon Stoecker's barn after it collapsed during Friday night's violent storm.

Lynn Stoecker was inside the barn at 13881 Hillside Road getting feed for his cattle when the storm hit.

"I was standing there, and next thing I knew, I heard a crack," said Stoecker, who escaped before the collapse and was unharmed. "I probably would have been dead if the wind had been straight on."

About eight of the Stoecker's cows were in the barn at the time, he said. They were freed with the help of about 20 of his friends and neighbors who helped clear the debris, and none of the cows were injured.

According to Deon Stoecker, the old barn was already in poor condition before the storm.

"It's over a hundred years old," she said. "It was in pretty bad shape."

Stoeker's property appeared to be the hardest hit. Aside from the barn, a tree also fell in his yard.

"Our neighbors only have a few twigs down in their yards," he said. "... You just always think it will never happen to you," Lynn said, in reference to the barn, "At least everyone is safe."