Florida agricultural production losses from Hurricane Debby top $93M, UF economists estimate
The agricultural production losses Florida experienced due to Hurricane Debby have an estimated value between $93.7 million and $263.2 million, according to a preliminary UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) report based on producer surveys.
The Category 1 storm made landfall Aug. 5 near Steinhatchee, Florida, and affected more than 2.2 million acres of agricultural lands — 68% of it used for grazing.
By comparison, Hurricane Idalia, a Category 3 storm that impacted 3.5 million acres last year, caused agricultural production losses valued at $276 million.
“Hurricane Debby’s path through the state largely mirrored Hurricane Idalia’s; however. no two storms are alike,” said Christa Court, UF/IFAS EIAP director. “While Idalia brought more intense winds, Debby was a wetter storm with more agricultural lands experiencing flooding.”
Court will provide highlights from the EIAP report — and answer reporter questions about it — during a virtual press conference today at 10:30 a.m. Registration is required.
