Agriculture losses from Florence top $1 billion
Initial estimates for crop damage and livestock losses in North Carolina due to Hurricane Florence are expected to top $1.1 billion, easily outstripping the $400 million seen after Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
“We knew the losses would be significant because it was harvest time for so many of our major crops and the storm hit our top six agricultural counties especially hard,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “These early estimates show just what a devastating and staggering blow this hurricane leveled at our agriculture industry.”
Row crops were hit the hardest, with losses estimated at $986.6 million. Following are forestry, at $69.6 million, green industry at $30 million, vegetable and horticulture at $26.8 million, and livestock, poultry and aquaculture at $23.1 million.
Estimates are based on the percentage of crops still in the field in the 35 most highly impacted counties. Calculations also looked at a five-year average for crop production and the prices of commodities.
