Your home, your farm buildings and farm equipment are all gone in mere minutes. What would you do? Where would you start? Ken and Deb Wood from Chapman, Kansas lived this scenario after a tornado destroyed everything they owned in the middle of the growing season. Decisions had to be made. How would the farm go on? Ken and Deb share the experience and lessons they learned on this episode.
Kansas Wheat
Podcast Timestamps: Surviving a Tornado - The Story of Ken and Deb Wood
(00:00:02) Introduction to the "Wheat's on Your Mind" podcast by Aaron Harries, featuring guests Ken and Deb Wood, who share their harrowing experience with a devastating tornado in Chapman, Kansas.
(00:00:33) A detailed account of the tornado's impact, highlighting its EF four rating and the extensive damage it caused, including the near miss of Chapman town.
(00:01:14) Ken and Deb Wood's farmstead, the epicenter of the tornado's worst damage, is introduced, along with their backgrounds in agriculture and community service.
(00:01:41) Ken describes their farm operation and the state of their homestead just before the storm hit, painting a picture of their life prior to the disaster.
(00:02:45) Deb recounts her day leading up to the tornado, her initial reactions, and the slow realization of the impending danger.
(00:03:40) Ken shares his whereabouts during the tornado and his disbelief at the severity of the weather event.
(00:05:26) The couple discusses their communication during the tornado, their concerns for their community, and the unexpected path of the tornado.
(00:06:32) Deb's experience in the basement during the tornado, her preparations, and the moment of impact are vividly described.
(00:08:24) The aftermath of the tornado is detailed, including the destruction of their brick house and Deb's survival in the basement.
(00:10:05) The first responder's arrival and Deb's rescue from the debris are recounted, highlighting the community's quick response.
(00:12:09) Ken's reaction to learning about the direct hit on their home and his frantic drive back, navigating through the chaos and destruction.
(00:15:11) The couple's first moments together after the tornado, the realization of their loss, and the support from the community are shared.
(00:17:10) Ken and Deb discuss the immediate aftermath, including seeing the tornado's damage on video and the decision to rebuild their lives.
(00:20:09) The process of cleaning up the homestead and fields, and the challenges of starting over, are explored.
(00:32:01) The impact on their farming operation, the loss of equipment, and the community's assistance in the recovery process are discussed.
(00:37:29) Deb talks about rebuilding their home, the considerations they had, and the importance of having a safe room.
(00:41:34) The couple shares lessons learned from the disaster, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and community support.
(00:46:08) Ken reflects on the decision to retire from farming, the transition process, and the value of community and industry connections.
(00:53:15) Closing remarks and gratitude expressed by Aaron Harries for Ken and Deb Wood's willingness to share their story.