Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in May 2017.

A Missouri dairy farmer is facing a heartbreaking loss after a sudden lightning strike killed 32 of his cows in a single moment.

Jared Blackwelder, a Texas County dairy farmer, began his usual morning routine around 4 a.m. Saturday, milking

his herd before the sun rose. As he was finishing up and heading back to the barn, a massive lightning bolt struck nearby, sending flames down the fences.

“It was so bright, I could barely see,” Blackwelder recalled.

A Shocking Discovery

Hours later, when it was time for the next milking, Blackwelder made a grim discovery. His cows, huddled together trying to escape the storm, had been struck and killed.

“I walked over the hill and saw them lying there,” he said. “It was just devastating.”

A veterinarian confirmed that the lightning had instantly killed all 32 cows.

Farming Community Rallies Behind Him

The Wright County Missouri Farm Bureau shared the tragic event on Facebook, and the post quickly went viral. Over 14,000 people shared the story, and thousands left words of support.