Statement by Commissioner Adam H. Putnam on Damage to South Florida Agriculture Due to Recent Flooding

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From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

FDACSTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As historic amounts of rainfall and flooding continue to impact South Florida’s multi-billion dollar agriculture industry and the tens of thousands of jobs it supports, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement:

“South Florida farmers are reeling from biblical proportions of rainfall and flooding over the past few days, weeks and months as a result of El Nino. With record amounts of rainfall over the last three months, and above average rainfall expected for the next several months, the long-term impacts to South Florida’s agriculture community could be devastating.

“We’re currently in communication with the South Florida Water Management District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and others to monitor the situation and provide support to the impacted communities as needed.”

According to the South Florida Water Management District, rainfall in the South Florida region was 139 percent above average in November, 199 percent above average in December, and is nearly 350 percent above average for the month of January so far.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.