Though the storm was downgraded from hurricane to tropical storm to tropical depression, Florence’s heavy rainfall delivered significant river flooding and badly damaged ag producers across North and South Carolina. The downpour threatened breaches of hog waste lagoons, as precipitation reached nearly 24 inches in Morehead City, N.C. and more than 30 inches in Swansboro, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Rural Advancement Foundation International mobilized relief efforts for North Carolina family farms affected by the storms, setting a goal of $30,000. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services activated its agricultural emergency hotline at 866-645-9403. The USDA activated its response team ahead of the storm, putting the administration’s Operation Center to work around the clock assisting farmer victims of the storm. More information about USDA disaster assistance, as well as other disaster resources, is available on the USDA Disaster Resource Center website, located at www.usda.gov/topics/disaster.
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