A couple of cold nights in early October resulted in a poor leaf drop from the trees but should have no killing effect on the plants. Problems with winter injury are most common when there is a rapid temperature change. Many may remember a Halloween freeze several years ago that killed many tender shrubs and knocked the bark layer off the Bradford Pear trees. Gradual cooling gives plants time to adjust internally and harden off, thus withstanding cold. The absolute minimum temperatures affect plants, not wind chills.
Wind chill is a human measure and means nothing to plant material.
Plants are rated as to their absolute winter temperature tolerances based on plant hardiness zones. Hardiness zones classify trees, shrubs, and flowers by the lowest temperature they will survive. Hardiness zones range from eleven to one. Zone eleven is southern Florida and Hawaii while zone one is the tundra of Alaska. Kansas is divided into two zones.