CAPE VINCENT — High winds early Sunday destroyed a large barn under construction at the Wood farm on County Route 9.

Owner Lyle J. Wood said a worker feeding cattle in a neighboring barn witnessed the roof and walls of the planned 86- by 226-foot structure rip apart at 5:30 a.m.

“It picked it right up and turned it over,” Mr. Wood said. “It flattened it.”

The barn, when completed, will be used as a milking facility. The farm currently milks 750 cows and will add 150 once the barn is finished.

Mr. Wood said the plan had been to “button up” the building by Monday and begin interior work.

He said it was fortunate no one was working inside the barn when it collapsed and no one was injured.

“It’s a terrible thing to have happen, but at least we weren’t milking in there,” he said.

Mr. Wood said a wind gauge at the farm measured a top speed of 63 mph Sunday, but he believes the wind that caused the barn to collapse may have been stronger.

Mr. Wood estimated the financial loss, which was insured, at $100,000.

The barn was supposed to be completed by April 1, but now will not be finished until about May 1.

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