Almost a month after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene, Virginia Cooperative Extension agents have placed the total price tag of agricultural damage at over $159.3 million.
The final agricultural damage assessment from the Sept. 27 storm was completed by Extension agents working across 21 localities. The Virginia Department of Forestry also provided information regarding timber losses in the state.
The assessment is used by federal and state agencies to help determine how assistance and recovery resources will be allocated to the region.
"Farming is a critical contributor to the rural economies where these losses occurred," said Dan Goerlich, Extension's associate director for economy, community, and food, who led the assessment. "We hope that this assessment will help guide resources for recovery to these farms and communities that are so vital to Virginia's economic prosperity."
Read more at Virginia Tech News