Alabama's cotton farmers lose $100M while Timberland owners suffer nearly $20M loss from Michael
Farmers and forestland owners in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas were severely impacted by Hurricane Michael. Most of Alabama was spared the damage that our neighbors in Florida and Georgia suffered, but the Wiregrass and particularly Houston County in southeast Alabama was not so lucky. Preliminary estimates from helicopter show heavy damage to the forests in Houston County. The Wiregrass region has also suffered tremendous agricultural losses. Alabama’s cotton farmers have lost an estimated $100 million alone.
Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) recently toured the area.
“As Hurricane Michael recovery efforts continue, we are gradually learning the full scale of damages portions of our district are facing,” Rep. Roby said. “The setback for the agriculture industry is severe, to say the least. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, I traveled to the Wiregrass to see firsthand what some of our farmers are experiencing. The devastation is heartbreaking.”
“Agricultural damage from Hurricane Michael across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia is projected to top $1.3 billion in total losses, with cotton, pecans, and poultry commodities hit the hardest,” Rep. Roby said. “An expert with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System estimates the loss to our state’s cotton crop alone could eclipse $100 million. That sum does not include the impact the storm had on livestock, peanuts, and timber. When I was on the ground in the Wiregrass, I even saw 1,500 acres of cucumbers that might not make it to harvest. Our farmers are in the midst of a very real crisis.”
Read more: http://www.alreporter.com/2018/10/25/alabamas-cotton-farmers-lose-100-million-while-timberland-owners-suffer-nearly-20-million-loss-from-hurricane-michael/