Having recently read, and reported on, an Associated Press (AP) news item about the “weather whiplash” across the country these past weeks and months, I started thinking of a different, albeit positive, whiplash in my corner of the planet. The past 5 weeks have been just that, working with words to bring you the latest news, trends and innovations on all things ag. But I’ve got no complaints. In fact, much like the World Series, it’s been a power-packed, sometimes nail-biting run of enjoyable, intense and often unexpected surprises as I round the corner on my second month in the Managing Editor’s perch. It’s a storm of good fortune I’m pleased to weather.

Not the case for those caught in the throws of the wicked weather wreaking havoc on everything from crops to coastal homes. In as many weeks as I’ve been able to practice my trade with the Lessiter Media team, historic hurricanes, nothing short of freaky flooding and, on the flip side, drought conditions have plagued friends and family from coast to coast.

In a thorough summary published Oct. 29, the AP says: “A bone-dry October is pushing nearly half of the United States into a flash drought, leading to fires in the Midwest and hindering shipping on the Mississippi River. More than 100 different long-term weather stations in 26 states, including Alaska, are having their driest October on record, through Sunday, according to records by the Southern Regional Climate Center and Midwest Regional Climate Center.

The impact on people’s lives, livelihoods, property and sanity is hard to measure.

Just yesterday, news of another manufacturer helping people still with limited power in North Carolina came our way. Seems forever ago, but not for those in the throws. Sept. 26 brought Hurricane Milton to the southeast, ravaging North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia among other states across its broad swath of destruction. We’ve attempted to keep up with the stories emerging from dealers and report updates as they arrive via emails, phone calls or social media updates (as many did not have means of communication in the thick of it, for weeks). A dealer rep out at the NAEDA Clay Shoot, showed me images of a truckload of tractors that somewhat miraculously arrived from North Carolina just two days after the storm blasted the region. Bobcat donating equipment to the Salvation Army. Honda donating generators for Hurricane Helene relief. Myriad stories of equipment dealers from states not impacted traveling to support their counterparts in the hardest hit areas in whatever way they can.

The humanity and kindness helped in ways large and small. So.much.damage. Still so much cleanup, and likely years of restoration and recovery ahead. This much is clear: the power of caring, high-quality people — especially in this industry, brimming over with folks crafted on family values and labors of love which support so many, day in and day out — is beyond heartwarming.

Just 13 days later, only 3 weeks ago, the nation braced itself again. Another anxious week of 24/7 Weather Channel updates on the incoming madness that became Hurricane Milton. At an AEM Manufacturing Express Tour stop at Woods Equipment in Oregon, Ill. a representative and I shared stories of family members in its path. Later that day, my brother and his family updated me that they have packed up their people and most prized possessions and left their coastal Florida home. My nephew’s call on Oct. 11 is one I’ll not soon forget. The always cool as a cucumber 31-year old said flatly. “It’s gone.” Instantly, I knew he meant the structure they called home 4 days out of every week for 15 years. They were driving back from Ft. Lauderdale when a neighbor sent them drone footage of the wreckage. Hours later, NBC Nightly News broadcast from Manasota Key, one of the hardest hit areas, and the local affiliate’s coverage included my brother and nephew walking through the hollowed out home. As I write this, their family is at a memorial service for my sister-in-law’s mother, Pat, whose 88th birthday would be today. Pat grew up surrounded by farms in central Michigan. She weathered many storms in Florida where she spent the last 3 decades. Her daughters, one a family physician and the other a landscape architect, knew the toll of those storms was all just a bit much. I digress. We’re all only human after all.

The extreme weather news kept rolling in, as did high winds and dry conditions. Executive Editor Kim Schmidt published an Oct. 14 news item days later, “Drought Conditions Creating Fire Risk in High Plains.” The contrasting weather conditions were nearly incomprehensible. As mentioned, just days ago, as the country catches up with those hit by the hurricane impacts, more news: this comprehensive summary from the Associated Press of dry and windy conditions and the as yet unrealized full impacts on our agricultural partners near and far.

What’s the point in summarizing the chronology of these 5 weeks of wicked weather? As a lifelong learner with a curious nature, whose job it is to report news, the reasons are plenty. I cover crops, so to speak. That is to say I report on those who work in and around them as equipment dealers, manufacturers and users of those products. I’ve heard and seen the devastation that 4 hours, let alone 24 hours or 2 months, of drastic conditions brings. Quite simply, as I mentioned to Mike Lessiter and his team when we first met, I’m all about connecting people, partnerships and projects, for good, with words — and, often as possible, with good deeds.

So let’s do this. If you are or know a rural lifestyler, farmer or equipment dealership that is dealing with the wrath of these weather woes, or found a helping hand, tell people about it. Last but surely not least, if you can offer an act of kindness, whether with a donation (which I’m proud to say Lessiter Media has) or relieve someone’s struggle, let’s do that.

One way or another, we’re all here to weather storms together.

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