Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on the eastern coast late last week, has left a trail of destruction across several agricultural regions. Farmers in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia reported extensive crop losses, particularly in corn, soybean, and cotton fields, as heavy winds and torrential rains battered the area. Several poultry operations faced significant losses as well.
Cotton crops are facing severe setbacks, as the storm uprooted plants and caused significant defoliation. Additionally, fruit orchards experienced major losses, with fallen trees and damaged infrastructure hampering recovery efforts. Initial assessments also indicate that up to 30% of the corn crop and 20% of soybeans could be lost due to flooding and wind damage. It’s likely that those numbers will go up in coming weeks as more damage is assessed.
The USDA is working closely with state officials to evaluate the total impact and provide assistance to affected farmers. Emergency relief measures are being discussed, and agricultural experts emphasize the importance of a swift response to mitigate long-term consequences.
Farmers are urged to document damages for insurance claims while they begin the arduous task of cleanup and recovery. As the region grapples with the aftermath, the focus will shift to rebuilding and preparing for future weather challenges.
Sabrina Halvorson
National Correspondent / AgNet Media, Inc.
Sabrina Halvorson is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and public speaker who specializes in agriculture. She primarily reports on legislative issues and hosts The AgNet Weekly podcast. Sabrina is a native of California’s agriculture-rich Central Valley.