A report published a few days ago highlights the incredible challenges Georgia farmers experienced in the 72 hours following the passage of Hurricane Helene through the state. While a lot of articles have been written about the tremendous damage and losses to western North Carolina, less has been written about the impacts of Helene on Georgia. The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture surveyed 147 farmers in 44 counties to assess what did and did not work in the hours in their counties. Based on the survey, ‘the “Stabilizing After the Storm” report paints a sobering picture of widespread system failures, delayed recovery and unmet needs across Georgia’s agricultural communities hit by the storm on Sept. 27, 2024. The report highlights that 99% of farmers surveyed lost power, 93% lost internet and cellphone coverage, and 71% lost access to water for livestock and crops. In many cases, these critical systems failed simultaneously, leaving farms completely isolated and unable to begin recovery efforts.’ The report provides lessons that farmers can use to help prepare for the inevitable next storm to come over the area, whether it is this year or far in the future.
You can read the article at Morning Ag Clips at https://www.morningagclips.com/report-reveals-challenges-in-disaster-response-for-ga-farmers/ or go right to the summary report here.
