How Farmers Are Coping After Big Hurricane Hits
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was forecast to be extremely active. The predictions have come to fruition, writes Paul Rusnak at GrowingProduce, 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 recent 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 and 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. Florida’s main citrus production region comes to mind.
I reached out to Ray Royce, Executive Director of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association. He says while groves in the area did feel effects from Hurricane Milton, damages vary in severity.
“Hurricane Milton did not cause any significant tree loss or damage in Highlands County (other than in several groves hit by an associated tornado), Royce says. “Though it is likely that we will see trees expressing symptoms of storm stress in the coming days and weeks.”
Read more at GrowingProduce.
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