Powerful storms ripped through northwest Ohio this weekend, prompting Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland to declare a state of emergency for Fulton and Wood counties. The destruction caused by a tornado, with winds estimated between 136 and 165 mph, in Wood County took lives and destroyed buildings. Some farmers are feeling the affects of its destruction.

Jay Griffith, Ohio Wheat Growers Association vice president who farms in Wood County, says some of his crops in Millbury, the area hit hardest from the tornado, are under water. This flooding is delaying Griffith's planting of soybeans and could possibly affect harvest of soft red winter wheat.
 
"It was narrow but devastating," Griffith says about the storm, which left an 8-mile path of destruction miles from his fields.
 
Brad Haas, another Wood County farmer and board member for OWGA, also has fields that are flooded.
 
"We were fortunate this past weekend," says Haas, who did not have any substantial damage from the wicked weekend storms.
 
Unfortunately, Haas has not been as lucky this spring as he was over the weekend. Approximately four weeks ago, a hailstorm swept through the same area; some farmers had 16 wheat fields rejected because they were severely damaged. One of the wheat fields belonged to Haas.
 
Both Griffith and Haas agreed that this spring has been a rough planting season, as Ohio has had their fair share of storms.
 
"Rain and wind have made it difficult to get in the fields," Haas says.
 
With more rain in the forecast, Griffith and Haas will only be delayed more. Both farmers say they have more crops to plant and with wheat harvest creeping up, Griffith and Haas are rushed to get all of their fields planted.