Mid Atlantic Crop Damage From Storms

Crop damage from several recent weather systems has been significant in the Mid Atlantic region. Reports of crop damage includes corn, soybeans, vegetables, fruit trees, and even farm-raised fish.

According to the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB), high winds and heavy rain from Hurricane Irene caused sporadic damage to farms and orchards in several areas of Pennsylvania. The most common problem cited by farmers is that field corn was leaning or flattened by strong winds, while apples and other fruits fell to the ground during the storm.

“The largest and most mature fruit fell off the trees.We estimate that about 20% of our fruit is on the ground, which is a significant loss,” said Brad Hollabaugh of Hollabaugh Brothers Fruit Farm and Market in Biglerville, Adams County.

“There is nothing more disheartening than looking at apples on the ground, after you’ve put your heart and soul into growing and nurturing the fruit throughout the season,” added Hollabaugh.

Jim Schupp, the director of Penn State’s Fruit Research and Extension Center, confirmed that winds from Hurricane Irene uprooted fruit trees. “Damages vary widely from farm-to-farm and even from one section of a farm to the other.  Some farms were hardly touched, while others have fruit losses of 50%,” said Jim Schupp.

Corn crops throughout the Mid Atlantic were tangled or flattened by Hurricane Irene and later by heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Lee. In some areas, corn which was already stressed from lack of rain was severely flattened by rain and wind.

Flood damage to crops was most extensive in Pennsylvania as the Susquehanna River flooded portions of Harrisburg, Hershey, and surrounding communities.

Mid Atlantic Flooding

Throughout the Mid Atlantic region, rivers and creeks are on the rise, with flooding being reported in several states. Rainfall from Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and other weather systems have pushed several rivers beyond flood stage.

In Maryland, several areas were experiencing flooding during early September:
On the Susquehanna, the Conowingo Dam floodgates are being opened due higher than normal flows caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. Flows have been on the rise since early Monday and are predicted to continue for the next several days.

The Avalon area of Patapsco Valley State Park in Elkridge is experiencing significant flooding along both the Baltimore County and Howard County sides of the river near U.S. Route 1.

Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) issued a warning on September 7 that boating and other recreational use of the Upper Potomac River, including its creeks and streams, should be avoided until September 9, 2011. The advisory will be updated if necessary.

The advisory was based on information received from the National Weather Service and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

According to DNR, river levels are hazardous for recreational use on the main stem of the Upper Potomac River from Cumberland to Little Falls. According to DNR, hazardous conditions may also exist on tributaries of the Potomac River.

In Pennsylvania, flooding is extensive, with Harrisburg, Hershey and other areas being especially hard hit. The Susquehanna River was expected to crest in the coming days as rainfall continues.