Hurricane Helene's Destructive Wake

OMAHA (DTN) -- The widespread agricultural destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Helene across the Southeast U.S. will likely spark Congress to eventually approve an aid package for 2024 natural disasters with early estimated damage reports at more than $15 billion across the region.

Along with damage in Florida and Georgia, the storm also devastated western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Some areas of North Carolina saw as much as 29 inches of rain.

Presidential disaster declarations have already been approved for Florida, North Carolina and Virginia. Such declarations automatically allow producers in those states to apply for USDA emergency loans and other aid.

As of Sunday, at least 91 people have died across six states, based on news reports. North Carolina had reported 30 deaths and much of the western part of the state is cut off due to the sheer volume of roads washed out and closed. The state was airlifting food and water to some areas.

"Many people are cut off because roads are impassable, they don't have power or communications. Please know that we are sending resources and coordinating closely with local governments, first responders, state and federal partners, and volunteer organizations to help those impacted by this tragic storm," said Gov. Roy Cooper, according to North Carolina Newsline.

Associated Press cited damage estimates from Moody's Analytics putting property damage from the storm at $15 billion to $26 billion in losses. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials toured Georgia on Monday and were planning to be in North Carolina on Monday.

One producer in North Carolina posted a photo on social media stating, "An entire field of cows has been washed out of their pasture on Jonathan Creek." He asked for people to contact him if the cows make their way to shore.

The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation posted photos of flooded fields. "No words to describe how much our hearts are with our folks in East TN reeling from the impact of Hurricane Helene."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Sunday announced his state was deploying recovery assistance to North Carolina and Tennessee and would coordinate through Florida agencies to help with rescue operations. That includes sending two National Guard helicopters and more than 40 personnel for support.

Georgia officials said the full scope of the damage was unknown Friday, but initial reports suggest Helene caused more damage to agriculture than Hurricane Michael in 2018.

"We know it's one of the widest wind fields ever in the Atlantic, which made it a statewide event for us here in Georgia. We've got a lot of work to do. We've got a lot of damage to assess," the Georgia Recorder reported.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said his department is beginning to assess the damages. Harper said his office was hearing reports about flattened poultry houses, flattened row crops along with dairies and poultry houses without power. He stressed the importance of farmers documenting all the damage they sustained with photos, the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation reported.

"My message to farmers is document, document, document," Harper said. "We need as much information as possible to ensure that we can get the needed resources and the needed help deployed as quickly as possible. We've already started discussions with Georgia's U.S. Congressional delegation to get federal disaster declaration and funding."

The Georgia Farm Bureau Facebook page had photos of a damaged peanut elevator and rows of destroyed pecan trees.

Producers who want to share their stories and pictures about the storms can reach out to DTN editors at edit@dtn.com.

DISASTER RESOURCES

The following links provide information on some of the disaster resources available:

-- USDA Farm Service Agency disaster programs. See, https://www.fsa.usda.gov/…

-- The American Red Cross is mobilizing disaster aid for the region. https://www.redcross.org/…

-- North Carolina Department of Agriculture: https://www.ncagr.gov/…

-- University of Florida Extension Assessment Survey https://ufl.qualtrics.com/…

-- University of Georgia Extension: Dealing with Pasture, Hay, Feed and Livestock Losses, https://extension.uga.edu/…

-- University of Tennessee Extension Resources for Disaster Recovery: https://utianews.tennessee.edu/…

Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com

Follow him on social platform X @ChrisClaytonDTN

(c) Copyright 2024 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.