October 11, 2024

Hurricane Helene inflicts $6.46 billion in damages to Georgia agriculture

Georgia’s agricultural industry, the state’s largest economic driver, faces an estimated $6.46 billion in damages after Hurricane Helene.

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Georgia’s agricultural industry, the state’s largest economic driver, faces an estimated $6.46 billion in damages after Hurricane Helene tore through the state on Sept. 26, leaving devastation in its wake.

Agriculture, which contributes more than $83 billion annually to the state’s economy, has been hit hard, with thousands of farm families now struggling to recover.

Agriculture is Georgia’s No. 1 industry – contributing more than $83 billion to the state’s economy on an annual basis and employing more than 320,000 Georgians. On Sept. 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene ripped through Georgia, leaving catastrophic damage in her wake and devastating the state’s agricultural community and thousands of farm families in its path with an estimated impact of $6.46 billion. Photo courtesy of CAES UGA Cooperative Extension.

Agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry, contributing more than $83 billion to the state’s economy on an annual basis and employing more than 320,000 Georgians. Hurricane Helene left catastrophic damage, devastating the state’s agricultural community and thousands of farm families in its path with an estimated impact of $6.46 billion. Photo courtesy of CAES UGA Cooperative Extension.

State Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, alongside Gov. Brian Kemp and the University of Georgia (UGA), announced the preliminary damage estimate. The figure includes crop losses, damage to agricultural businesses, and the costs of recovery and restoration efforts. The estimate is based on analyses by UGA commodity experts and the Georgia Forestry Commission. Full damage assessments are expected to take months.

“This storm could not have come at a worse time for Georgia farmers,” Harper said. “Right now, the future is uncertain for thousands of farm families who were devastated by Hurricane Helene. We’re working with state, federal, and industry leaders to ensure we deliver the aid they need to bounce back.”

Farmers in Georgia were already contending with inflation, high input costs, and low commodity prices when Helene hit. National farm income was already projected to drop by $6.5 billion in 2024, following a $35.6 billion decrease in 2023, compounding the challenges.

Gov. Kemp urged federal leaders to expedite relief efforts. “We depend on our farmers to drive our economy and provide the food and fiber we rely on every day. It’s crucial that we act quickly to help them rebuild,” Kemp said, noting the potential for further damage from the looming Hurricane Milton.

UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean Nick Place highlighted the storm’s immediate and long-term impacts, including power outages and property damage. “In the coming weeks and months, it will be critical that we do all we can to support Georgia producers as they navigate lost income and determine the next steps forward in their operations,” he said.

In response to the disaster, more than 40 agricultural organizations have launched the Weathered But Strong: Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund. All donations will go directly to help affected farmers recover.

Georgia agriculture employs more than 320,000 people, and the hurricane’s impact threatens the stability of the state’s largest industry, making a swift recovery essential for both the economy and local communities.

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