'It had just peeled back': Surveillance video catches high winds ripping roof off Mequon horse stable

Surveillance video from Willow Run Stables shows powerful winds tearing the roof off a pole barn in seconds.

“The installation that layered our roof was flying everywhere. The metal roof was gone,” said Sara McGowan, equestrian trainer. 

Owner Kate Carr said she got a call from one of her trainers about the barn and rushed over to see what had happened.

“I stepped out of my house, and it just looked like a sardine can, it had just peeled back. It was shocking. And coming in it even looks worse,” she said.

Thankfully, no horses were inside the arena when the roof blew off. McGowan and two clients had stepped out just minutes earlier.

Carr said the situation could have been much worse.

“It easily could have been a fatal accident. A horse would've lost their mind, there’s no way, even our most trusted horse would have not held it together during that,” she said.

The damage means the indoor riding arena can’t be used, bringing lessons and training rides to a halt.

“The lessons and the training rides that I do, that’s my income. So, this now will come to a halt until we can get back on our feet,” McGowan said.

With rain and snow in the forecast, Carr said she’s worried the open roof could lead to even more damage.

“I don’t know what that's going to do to the footing. If it rains and floods here, I saw six degrees overnight, is that going to freeze in here and ruin the base? Is it going to ruin my electric up there when it gets wet?” she said.

Despite the setback, Carr said support from the community has already started pouring in.

“Friends from Facebook have reached out to me. It’s comforting to know there’s such a community to help,” she said.

McGowan said the barn’s close-knit community will help them get through the damage.

“This barn is a family, and it has been. It’s been the same people I’ve taught for 25 years so no doubt that we will rally together,” she said.