Although it could be just the weather. There are some parks in Chicago
where hundred year old trees were just flattened everywhere just due to
the recent wind (I.e. no tornado). Other parts not far away, like where
I live, didn't experience a tenth of that force. It has been a very
strange month weather-wise.


Yes, just be glad you're talking about sunflowers and not oaks and
poplars; and Michigan and not Memphis, where much of the city is still
without power from Tuesday's storm. It's an El Nino year, there will be
strange weather.