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Hurricane Michael Damage Estimates for Georgia Ag Industry

State agricultural leaders say the worst-case scenario for damage caused by Hurricane Michael has come true for the industry.

Georgia Agricultural Commissioner Gary Black says the losses are generational and will take unprecedented ideas and actions to help farm families and rural communities recover.

Credit agr.georgia.gov
Georgia agricultural losses due Hurricane Michael.

“Unfortunately, our worst thoughts were realized. We saw months and sometimes years of work just laid over on the ground in a matter of seconds," according to Black. "Georgia has long led in the production of several renowned commodities and now we have the dubious distinction of also leading in the devastation and incredible loss of these prominent crops."

Black’s office released the figures Wednesday.

The timber industry took a $1 billion hit, followed by cotton losses estimated between 300-800 million dollars, vegetables, including sweet, corn, cucumbers, squash, peppers, peas, and more, estimated at some $480 million, and pecans with $560 million in losses.

"These are generational losses that are unprecedented and it will take unprecedented ideas and actions to help our farm families and rural communities recover."-Georgia Agricultural Commissioner Gary Black.

UGA Professor Jeffrey Dorfman says damage from storms like Michael isn’t limited to agriculture.

“Everywhere in Georgia as a whole, these storms cause property losses, they cause productivity losses because people don’t work or can’t work as much as they make preparations or places lose power,” according to Dorfman. “So the economic losses are definitely considerable even if we’re all careful and in safe places and nobody actually gets harmed.”

Credit agr.georgia.gov
Georgia agricultural damage due to Hurricane Michael.

Other industries suffering losses include poultry, peanuts and agritourism.

The Loss estimates come from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service with the Georgia Forestry Commission providing estimates on timber.

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