While teens worry about their homes, family and pets during a storm, Buddy Severance, 17, of Royalton, Vt., had his twin calves to think about as well. He was among hundreds of farmers whose animals suffered or perished recently in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene. As Buddy watched – helpless, stranded and surrounded by rapidly rising river waters –  his cows were swept up by the waters and pulled downriver. The storm wreaked havoc on dairy farms especially. It was only with the help of friends, neighbors and strangers that Buddy and his family survived. Sadly, some of the cows suffered a different fate.

Buddy Severance, 17, comforts his surviving calf last week following Tropical Storm Irene. (Photo by STEFAN HARD, Rutland Herald)