Hudson family’s historic farm destroyed in storm

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Earlier this week, a storm hit the community of Hudson, South Dakota. According to a National Weather Service report, the July 28 storm produced three tornadoes in South Dakota and another two in Iowa, which were embedded within a derecho.

This derecho is believed to have caused damage at the Solberg farm in Iowa, just east of Hudson, with a tornado touching down further east near Alvord, Iowa

The damage to the Solberg farm is extensive. The family lost their historic red barn and granary, most of the trees on the property, and sustained damage to two houses on the farm.

Aprilsue King lives on the farm, which has been in her family since it was bought by her great-grandfather in 1903. When the storm hit, her family was in the basement of the newer house on the property.

“We went to the basement and we could hear that the garage here was getting hit pretty hard,” she said. “We heard the roof go off, or something falling through the ceiling.”

By that point, the farm had lost power, and King recalled sitting in the basement lit by candle light, hoping for the best.

“We’re fortunate the houses are intact, somewhat,” she said. “You don’t know if the whole top of your house is going to disappear,” she said. “You don’t feel it’s real — you’re still in shock.”

The family had renovated the newer house to serve as a business. King said they were living in a camper, which was completely destroyed.

King’s great-grandfather, John Johnson, purchased the farm in 1903. In 1913, Melvin Solberg took over the farm, passing away in 1979 and leaving it to King’s father, Merle Solberg.

The original house from 1903 still stands on the property and sustained damage to the porch. King said nobody was living in it, and it was due to be demolished this year.

The newer house has damage to the garage and roof.

“We lost a lot of the large trees that were planted back in 1979 when they built this house,” said King. “There’s only a few standing. We have about two existing buildings left. That would be the pole barn that didn’t get any damage, and our storage bunker.”

King walked us through the morning after the storm as the family took in the devastation.

“We got up and then we analyzed the situation at that time, and see what really was gone,” said King. “It was heartbreaking. It was a complete shock. We would never have dreamed that our big red barn came down — it was just overwhelming.”

King’s voice was heavy with emotion, and tears came to her eyes as she spoke to us remotely from the farm, still in the process of cleanup.

“Quite painful,” she said. “That barn’s been up there for at least 122 years. Never thought it would go down. You can’t do anything about it. You’re glad you’re able to survive through it.”

King described the barn as a site of heritage and as a landmark for the area. “We have no identity now in this corner left,” she said.

Despite the loss, King says the family will do something to mark the land. “There will be something constructed on this corner to represent that we’re still here, and the Solberg farm is going to go up somewhere here to let people know where we’re at.”

Though the barn is gone, King did recover something.

“I have the letters off the barn. It says MB Solberg Farm,” King said. “So something will be done with that.”

Luckily, the family is OK and nobody was injured in the storm.

“We’re on our third day now and get kind of worn out with age now, but a lot of our personal belongings are still out about a fourth of a mile away,” said King. “We’re still here picking it up.”

The community in and around Hudson was also hit hard, and many are in the same situation. While everyone works to pick up the pieces, King said they have received some support.

“We did have a minister and about three people come out and help. It’s been awesome,” she said. “The fire department stopped by to see if we’re OK.”

While the family is doing alright and has plans for the future, there is still a long road to go.