Southeast growers brace for Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene has intensified into a Category 2 and is expected to make landfall in Florida Thursday night.

It could bring a record storm surge, destructive winds and flood-level rain. All of Florida is under warning but also Georgia and South Carolina as Helene moves inland Friday and Saturday.

Markon Cooperative {{BB #:123315}} released a storm update this week, saying, “South Georgia is expecting four to six inches of rain Thursday night into Friday morning; the fall harvesting season has started so Markon will be monitoring the fields closely, but do not expect major damages or flooding. Florida’s northern growing regions are currently not expecting significant impact from Hurricane Helene either.”

Christina Morton, director of communications for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association BB #:153753, said FFVA has disaster and emergency resources posted on its website.

She sent this statement the morning of September 26:

“While virtually all of Florida will feel impacts from Helene, it is premature to speculate on any potential impacts to specialty crop growers based on the location of projected landfall and the timing of Florida’s fruit and vegetable harvest season, which has not yet begun. We remain hopeful that the most intensive impacts will not be felt by many of our growers.

“That said, Florida growers have been preparing since the earliest indicators of the storm’s projected path and are as ready as they can be. Preparations include stopping all field work; putting in extra drainage precautions, draining fields as much as possible before the storm, and checking pumps and drains; tying down equipment; topping off fuel; maintenance on generators; and ensuring the homes of crews and their families are ready.

“Our farming communities across the state are resilient, and in events such as these, we are reminded of the care and concern they have for each other and for producing Florida-grown fruits and vegetables to feed consumers across the country.”

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