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Hurricane Preparation and Recovery Guides for Florida Producers

Florida agriculture generates approximately $8 billion in sales annually, but in most years agricultural productivity is negatively affected by hurricane damage. Floridians are familiar with the devastation and loss of life and property that can accompany a hurricane event as the state experiences, on average, more than one hurricane every two years. The total economic losses from a single hurricane can reach tens of billions of dollars, while agricultural losses can exceed one billion dollars. Florida is a major agricultural producer for the United States, but the structures, livestock, and crops are highly exposed to extreme wind and flooding during hurricane events.

Hurricanes have always been a threat to Florida, but new research suggests that their intensity is increasing as ocean temperatures continue to rise. Increasing water temperature will not necessarily result in more hurricanes per year. As recent events have shown, it will likely mean more slow-moving, higher category storms that produce destructive winds and flooding. To address this threat, and allow producers to remain resilient and productive, The USDA Southeast Climate Hub, along with other USDA agencies and university Extension experts, developed the following guides to help you prepare for and recover from hurricane events.

We want to hear from you. To provide you with the best available guidance, we will update the guides in early 2021 after producers and specialists have had a chance to implement the guidance, assess recommendations, and provide feedback. Please send all comments and suggestions for improving these guides to Michael Gavazzi, USDA Southeast Climate Hub, at michael.gavazzi@usda.gov.