Hurricane Ian killed 250 cows at Florida dairy farm. Now the family is helping others

Hurricane Ian ripped apart barns and twisted metal all across Dakin Dairy Farms in Myakka City. A view from above provides a better idea of the scope of the damage.

"We've been through storms before out here," said director Courtney Dakin. "We have seen hurricanes, we have been through Irma, we have been through that. It has never ever affected us like this. The most cattle we ever lost was eight -- 250 is a really big difference from eight."

The Dakins are working with the state to figure out how to dispose of the cows. Some may be buried and others may be cremated, but right now, not much can be done with grounds still saturated from the storm.

"What does this mean for the family business? It means we got to rebuild," Courtney Dakin said. "We got to band together. We got to be stronger together."

With a lot still unknown, the family said the one thing that has been clear is the power of people coming together. Countless volunteers have showed up to helped with the cleanup process.

Beyond that, the farm knows the need is still great for many families outside their fence line and people want to help. That's why their property is now serving as an agricultural supply hub, where people are dropping off everything from food, water and diapers to feed and bales of hay to help those who need it.

"So many people want to give out there, they just don't know how," said Jerry Dakin.

"We're taking donations as well as sending trucks out to places and people in need," added Courtney Dakin. "I know these donation centers are set up, but these people can't get to these donation centers, so we are trying to get to those people who can't get to the donation centers."

Many of the donations are being delivered to hardest hit areas like communities in southwest Florida.