Hurricane Milton Causes Widespread Damage in Florida

Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Florida on October 9, has caused widespread devastation across 51 counties, with damages estimated between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion. The storm significantly impacted Florida's agricultural sectors, particularly the citrus industry, which has reported major production losses due to high winds and flooding. Ross Chastain, a driver for Trackhouse Racing and an eighth-generation watermelon farmer, noted that while his crops were damaged, the yield remains better than what others have experienced. The hurricane follows a series of storms that have wreaked havoc on Florida's agriculture, leading to calls for federal assistance to support recovery efforts. The state's nursery and landscape industries have also suffered, with reports of thousands of acres of crops destroyed, exacerbating the economic strain. The cumulative effects of multiple hurricanes this season underscore the urgent need for support in Florida's agricultural recovery.