How Farmers, Growers, and Ranchers Are Coping After Big Hurricane Hits
October 18, 2024 The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was forecast to be extremely active. The predictions have come to fruition, especially in the last few weeks. “All it takes is one ..” is a phrase often used to describe the perils of living in hurricane country. I’ve heard and relayed that phrase plenty over the years. For many this hurricane season, that “one” has given way to multiple. Florida has taken on three hurricane landfalls since August (Debby, Helene, and Milton). Farm operations in Florida still recovering from major Hurricane Helene, are now left to deal with what major Hurricane Milton left in its wake.
Milton brought not only high winds, devastating surge, and flooding to already saturated areas, but also spawned numerous damaging tornadoes ahead of its core. The eyewall trekked across highly populated areas of the Sunshine State. Growers who might have escaped the brunt of Helene weren’t as lucky with Milton.
Storms Taking a Toll on Agriculture
Late last week, the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences announced the preliminary estimate of Hurricane Helene’s economic impact on Georgia agriculture at $6.46 billion. In the meantime, University of Florida’s Food and Resource Economics Department is still conducting ag damage assessment analyses for Helene and now Milton. Ag producers are encouraged to complete the Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) surveys to provide a true picture of damages caused by these storms. This helps when it comes time for government agencies to allocate disaster relief funds.
The preliminary UF/IFAS EIAP report related to agricultural production losses in Florida due to Hurricane Debby include an estimated value between $93.7 million and $263.2 million.
Roads to Recovery
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced local farmers impacted by Hurricane Milton can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. This entails:
- Interest-free loans up to $500,000 for eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers that have experienced damage or destruction from Hurricane Milton.
- Loans may be used to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings, or to remove vegetative debris.
In addition, producers that were previously awarded funds for damages sustained from Hurricane Debby and/or Hurricane Helene might be eligible to apply for damage sustained from Milton, too. An applicant may not receive more than one loan per storm, more than two loans per year, or more than five loans in any three-year period.
Documenting Loss
Document damages and losses your operation has sustained as best you can, including gathering farm records, receipts and pictures of damages or losses.
Florida Farm Bureau has established an extensive Hurricane Milton Resource web portal that includes links to disaster assistance from state and federal agencies, waivers, and mental wellness resources.
Reporting Loss
Once you are able to safely evaluate the impact on your operation, contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office or your crop insurance agent to report all crop and farm infrastructure damages and losses. For producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance, the USDA Risk Management Agency has authorized Approved Insurance Providers to provide flexibility on reporting requirements for those who are unable to report losses due to the disaster.
More Key Disaster Recovery Resources and Tools
Learn more about programs available for producers at farmers.gov, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Assistance Tool.
A Helping Hand After the Storm
The Florida Farm Bureau has established a hurricane relief fund designed to help the state’s farmers and ranchers directly affected by the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. The industry organization says anyone can donate to its Hurricane Relief Fund for Agriculture. Click here to learn more.