What is left of Hurricane Debby is making its way up the country’s East Coast. We are learning more about the impact it had in Florida when it made landfall.
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey compares the storm to last year’s Hurricane Idalia.
“If you look at a tide station located at Cedar Key, Florida which is about 40 miles to the east of where the hurricane moved ashore on August 5th. We have seen the sixth-highest storm surge on record for that location— Cedar Key. Interestingly number one on that list was set just a year ago with Hurricane Idalia. The storm surge last year was about 6.8 feet; this time looks like the gauge stood up pretty well to the surge and was recorded just shy of 4.7 feet. So, just a little over two feet below last year’s record. We did see extensive flooding and some damage on Cedar Key from Idalia last year. Haven’t heard any reports yet coming in from Cedar Key, but you have to believe that with the water level only a little over two feet below what we saw last year. There was likely some damage across the Key as well as adjacent coastal areas spreading into northern Florida,” he explains.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is addressing damage in the southern part of the state following the storm. They expect crop losses for both melons and corn.
Farmers will be required to provide evidence of damage within 72 hours to their local FSA office to receive assistance.
Farmers are discouraged from cleaning up damage until after an environmental assessment has been conducted.
While we are still learning more about the damage caused by Debby, some say the storm provided much-needed relief.
Rouge River Farms in northwest Virginia says that it will welcome the rain.
The latest Drought Monitor shows that the region is experiencing extreme and severe drought conditions.
A&B Tropical Produce says that heavy rain benefited its dragon fruit, avocado, and guava crops.
