Winter Disaster For The Bees

Most of the time winters here in the Pacific Northwest are mild and wet, as you can see by the green algae on the side of this hive. Honey bees do not hibernate during winter but cluster together inside the hives to keep warm.

There are many days above 50 degrees , so my bees are active and fly out to take a potty break. ( cleaning flight) Winter hit us this month with a vengeance. We had 11 inches of snow all at once, more than we usually get all together in a whole winter. In the pictures above, my bees are safe in their hives with lots of honey to feed on. Who could have foreseen an ice storm so destructive only the day after these pictures were taken that would destroy the cozy life of one of my hives ?

We spent 12 hours listening and watching branches fall. It was too dangerous to go out so this is what I found the next morning. One of my hives destroyed, broken boxes and lots of dead bees.

I was able to save a few frames so If the Queen was among then they might survive.
I will let you know!!