Source: USDA CLIMATE HUB


North Carolina agriculture generates approximately $13 billion in sales each year, but in most years agricultural productivity is negatively affected by hurricane damage. North Carolinians are familiar with the devastation and loss of life and property that can accompany a hurricane event as the state experiences, on average, more than one hurricane every three years. The total economic losses from a single hurricane can reach tens of billions of dollars, while agricultural losses can exceed one billion dollars. North Carolina is a major agricultural producer for the United States, but the structures, livestock, and crops are highly exposed to extreme wind and flooding during hurricane events.

Hurricanes have always been a threat to North Carolina, but new research suggests that their intensity is increasing as ocean temperatures continue to rise. Increasing water temperature will not necessarily result in more hurricanes per year. As recent events have shown, it will likely mean more slow-moving, higher category storms that produce destructive winds and flooding. To address this threat, and allow producers to remain resilient and productive, The USDA Southeast Climate Hub, along, other USDA agencies and university Extension experts, developed the following guides to help you prepare for and recover from hurricane events.

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