In this gripping episode of Weather and Ag in Focus, Chief Meteorologist Dean Wysocki and ag expert Bridgette Readel recount the devastation left in the wake of a rare and catastrophic derecho that slammed through North Dakota. With sustained 100+ mph winds, entire communities—including Enderlin and Spiritwood—were left reeling from damage usually reserved for hurricanes. Bridgette shares her personal cleanup ordeal, and later, special guest Lynn Paulson, Senior VP of Ag Lending at Bell Bank, joins the show to offer vital guidance for impacted farmers. The episode also spotlights community recovery efforts, looming ag infrastructure issues, and unsettling global factors that could disrupt farming even more.
This is real-time resilience in action.
📌 Key Moments + Timestamps:
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[0:02] "The Freight Train Storm"
Bridgette and Dean open the show, detailing the powerful derecho that tore through the region with hurricane-like force. -
[1:26] A Hurricane in the Heartland
Dean shares that this was unlike anything he’s seen in 30+ years. Sustained winds, tornadic activity, and widespread damage. -
[3:05] Crops Scoured Like an SOS Pad
Bridgette explains how young soybeans were shredded, with some fields left barren. -
[3:48] Upcoming Guest: Lynn Paulson of Bell Bank
They preview a conversation about the financial implications of ag disasters. -
[6:18] Community Rallies for Cleanup
Bridgette highlights the Enderlin FFA's effort to help farmers clean fields of debris. -
[7:42] 100x100 Miles of Damage
They estimate the storm affected a swath nearly the size of a small state. -
[8:07] Derecho Ranked Among Worst Storms in U.S.
Discussion about the potential national ranking of this event—possibly among the top 25 most damaging. -
[11:17] Lynn Paulson Joins the Show
Lynn brings calm clarity, walking through the process of financial recovery post-disaster. -
[12:18] “Lead with Your Head, Not Just the Heart”
Farmers are advised to take a breath before jumping into recovery decisions. -
[16:04] Insurance Triage and Patience
A candid chat about the claims backlog and understanding what your policy really covers. -
[20:24] “I’m Not Going Out Like This”
Lynn shares that while some may think of walking away, most farmers rise to meet the challenge. -
[25:09] AgViews Live Preview
Lynn plugs the upcoming Bell Bank ag finance event, co-hosted with Dr. Dave Cole—open to farmers and non-farmers alike. -
[28:14] Farming as a Numbers Game
Advice for producers: Know your breakeven points and prepare for generational wealth transitions. -
[33:12] Iran, Cybersecurity & Fertilizer
Bridgette warns of geopolitical impacts, from fertilizer tariffs to cyber threats targeting agriculture. -
[34:44] Storm Scams & Cyber Hygiene
Important reminders about staying vigilant against digital threats after a disaster. -
[35:26] Mental Health & Storm Recovery
Final thoughts on resilience, stress, and the strength of the ag community.