Makes you wonder how it got bent. Possible burr in the needle because of a bad pack of needles. That happened to me. I don't have a machine like yours but I put a new needle in my 401 making sure it was in correct and right size. Took a hair off my head and found a burr in every one of them. Replaced with no problem.
I feel for you as far as the weather. Awful pile up at Indy/Oh border.