Years ago, sirens and news updates let locals know of impending weather disasters like tornados and flash floods. However, the advent of the smartphone has put early warning systems in hundreds of millions of Americans’ pockets. Still, even with a warning telling folks in Oklahoma to take cover due to a tornado, there’s not a lot folks can do other than seek emergency shelter. And in the case of the Mandrells, a post-disaster inspection revealed a giant wooden stake through the heart of their Buick sedan. 

A strong enough tornado can send a 20-foot wooden plank through the air and impale a Buick

Earlier this month, a tornado caused widespread destruction across Oklahoma. The tornado is one of at least nine such weather disasters to strike the state this month. Unfortunately, for one Oklahoma couple, the tornado skewered their Buick sedan with a 20-foot wooden plank. 

The plank, which appears to have bent and rusted nails embedded within, crashed right through the Buick’s windshield after a tornado picked it up and slammed it into the car. Of course, despite the almost too-perfect hit from the wooden beam, the destruction is no laughing matter. Debbie Mandrell, one of the Buick’s owners, was grateful that the Buick seemed to be the sole casualty of the flying wooden plank. “I was like, wow, I’m glad no one was in it,” Debbie said. “That’s what I thought.”

Unfortunately, the couple’s RV was also damaged in the tornado. Roger Mandrell, the other half of the Oklahoma couple, was also grateful that no one was harmed in the event. “That can be replaced,” Roger said referring to the Buick and the RV. “That’s [just] material stuff… everybody’s safe, so, yeah, we’re good.”

According to News Nation, the couple hopes that their insurance will cover “most of the damage.” Fortunately for the Mandrells, most comprehensive car insurance policies will cover “Acts of God” like severe weather events. However, lesser policies may not cover damage to cars, trucks, or RVs if the policy doesn’t include coverage for an “Act of God.”