Grayson County had the largest losses among 21 localities

Published

October 23, 2024

by

Katherine Schulte

Agricultural damage caused by Hurricane Helene in Virginia totals more than $159.3 million, according to research by Virginia Cooperative Extension agents.

Hurricane Helene made landfall on the Florida Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm late on September 26 and devastated the Southeast until September 27, causing catastrophic flooding in parts of Georgia , North and South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee, even as it weakened. . The storm’s death toll rose to more than 220 in six states.

Extension agents worked in 21 locations – 20 counties and the town of Radford – to complete the agricultural damage assessment, and the Virginia Department of Forestry provided information on timber losses, according to a published press release Tuesday by Virginia Tech.

According to the report, 3,672 Virginia farms suffered losses due to hurricane damage.

Of the 21 localities, Grayson County had the largest losses, amounting to $61 million, or 38% of the statewide damage. Wythe, Smyth, Washington and Carroll counties were the next four localities with the most economic losses from the hurricane, with respective damages of approximately $22.7 million, $18.4 million, 12 .9 million and $12.1 million.

“Agriculture is a critical contributor to rural economies where these losses have occurred,” Dan Goerlich, Extension associate director for economic, community and food, said in a statement. “We hope this assessment will help direct resources toward the recovery of these farms and communities that are so critical to Virginia’s economic prosperity.” »

Damage to Virginia’s vegetables and crops totaled approximately $38.1 million. Of these, the heaviest losses were from lumber ($25.9 million), hay ($3.3 million) and pumpkins ($2.3 million).

Losses in the livestock, aquaculture and apiary sector totaled $1.5 million, and beef cattle producers lost $1.2 million. Losses to trout producers amounted to approximately $130,700, and damages to dairy farmers amounted to approximately $15,250.

Losses related to facilities, land and infrastructure totaled $119.6 million, with damage to fences, structures and land accounting for the largest losses. Fence damage totaled $54.3 million and structural damage accounted for approximately $27.8 million. Land damage and debris removal was estimated at $25.5 million.

Established in 1914, Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership between Virginia Tech and Virginia State University. It operates from 107 offices, 11 agricultural research and extension centers, and six 4-H centers.

Extension agents set up 10 centers in the region to collect and distribute supplies for recovery efforts. They also host hay donation days on Saturdays throughout the month of November. Extension, the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, the Virginia Farm Bureau, the Virginia Agribusiness Council and Farm Credit of the Virginias have partnered to form the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Relief Program, which connects farmers with volunteers and hay, food, fencing and other donations.