ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Early estimations from the University of Florida point to severe agricultural losses between $78 million to $371 million from Hurricane Idalia that recently hit Florida, causing additional damage to local infrastructure, including irrigation systems and fences.

Hurricane Idalia, a Category 3 storm boasting maximum sustained winds near 125 mph (205kph), landed in the Big Bend area of Florida on August 30. The significantly impacted regions are primarily rural, hosting various crops such as peanuts, cotton, and large cattle, poultry, and aquaculture operations.

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences‘ initial report suggests losses in livestock that could range from $30.1 million to $123.4 million. Field and row crops’ losses are estimated to vary from $30.7 million to $93.6 million, whereas losses for greenhouse and nursery products could range between $4.7 million and $68.8 million.

Researchers express the wide ranging estimates will likely narrow as more precise on-the-ground assessments come in. The hardest hit agricultural zones by the storm were Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties, between the Gulf of Mexico and Georgia’s state line. Additionally, the storm claimed the lives of four people in Florida, according to reports from medical examiners to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Xiaohui Qiao, a university research professor and data analyst, emphasized the necessity for direct reporting to fully comprehend the toll taken by each specific storm. The preliminary loss evaluation, however, omits agricultural infrastructure losses.

While calculating these losses initially might be challenging due to the lack of abundant baseline data from previous storms, improvements can be expected, according to Christa Court, an assistant professor at the university’s Food and Resource Economics Department.

Moreover, assistance programs are underway to aid in repairing and replacing affected irrigation systems. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced a program offering 75% reimbursement up to $150,000 per producer or entity unless otherwise covered by insurance.

Reports such as that from the University of Florida facilitate federal and state agencies in formulating response strategies and assistance in such natural disasters. A comprehensive report revealing county by county agricultural loss estimates is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

According to estimates from the University of Florida, agricultural activities and allied industries accounted for over $270 billion in revenue and supported approximately 2 million jobs in 2022, surpassed in scale only by Florida’s tourism industry.