Study: Hurricane Michael caused $158m in damage to Florida crops
ORLANDO (AP):
A NEW study says Florida crops suffered US$158 million in damage from Hurricane Michael.
The report, released last Friday by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, says that almost all of the state’s cotton crop was wiped out.
Those losses total around US$51 million.
Florida’s greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production suffered US$39 million in losses, and the state’s peanut crop took a hit of US$22 million in losses.
Damage to the area’s livestock was around US$23 million.
Florida lost US$9 million in vegetables and melons, US$4 million in fruits and US$3 million in tree nuts, including pecans.
Separately, the Florida Forest Service estimates that Florida lost almost US$1.3 billion in timber that would have been harvested over several years.
In the meantime, more than two weeks after the powerful eyewall of Hurricane Michael passed over Bay County, Mark Ward wonders when the power will work again. And the sewer. And the water.
“We’ve been living out of coolers. We’ve been grilling out,” he said while shouting points to be heard over the buzz of a generator.
RURAL PARTS
Although electric, water and sewer service were restored to Panama City residents last Wednesday, those like Ward who live in the rural parts of Bay County still lack basic services.
County spokeswoman Valerie Sale says she understands why people in rural areas feel left behind.
“When you live that far away from a municipal area, there’s a feeling of isolation,” she said. “There’s no question it’s a challenge to reach those folks. Under normal circumstances it takes 45 minutes to an hour to get to some of those northern parts of the county.”