The Economic Toll Of Tropical Storm Francine On Louisiana's Farmers

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - As Tropical Storm Francine approaches the Gulf Coast, Louisiana’s farmers and rural communities are preparing for yet another potential blow to their livelihoods. While much of the media attention focuses on urban evacuations and storm preparedness, the long-term impacts on agriculture and fragile ecosystems often receive less attention. Based on previous storms, the damage to crops, fisheries, and the state's wetlands is likely to have significant and lasting effects on the state's economy.

Rural Economies and Agriculture: A Strain on Small Communities

Louisiana's rural communities, heavily dependent on agriculture, often experience long recovery times following tropical storms. In past events like Hurricane Laura, agricultural damage reached billions of dollars. According to Dr. Kurt Guidry from the LSU AgCenter, Hurricane Laura’s damage to agriculture alone was estimated at $1.6 billion. Much of this loss was due to the destruction of crops like rice, sugarcane, and soybeans, along with significant infrastructure damage. “Based on the amount of infrastructure damage that occurred and the losses associated with timber, the total economic impact will be as large as or larger than any storm I have developed estimates for,” Guidry noted.

The state’s sugarcane industry, which accounts for about half of the mainland U.S.’s production, often suffers severe losses from storms. After Hurricane Ida, early estimates suggested up to 25% of Louisiana’s sugarcane crop was damaged. Similarly, rice and soybean farmers have faced increased costs due to storm-related damage, as they race against time to harvest crops before they’re destroyed by flooding or strong winds.

Fisheries and Wetlands: Ecological and Economic Damage

Louisiana’s fisheries and wetlands, both key to the state’s economy and environmental health, are particularly vulnerable during tropical storms. Wetland erosion is accelerated by storm surges, which degrade the coastline and threaten the delicate ecosystems. Damage from past storms has significantly impacted Louisiana’s fisheries, leading to long-term disruptions in seafood production, a critical industry for many rural parishes.

“Hurricane Laura was devastating to timber and forest landowners,” said LSU forestry expert Michael Blazier, who pointed out that timber losses alone were valued at $360 million. This not only impacts landowners but also the entire ecosystem, as downed trees increase the risk of wildfires and allow for the spread of diseases that weaken remaining forests.

Preparedness in Rural Areas: A Growing Need for Resilience

While urban areas often receive more media coverage, rural parishes in Louisiana have developed their own storm preparedness strategies, especially in the years since Hurricane Katrina. According to Mike Strain, Louisiana’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, farmers are now better equipped to prepare their crops and livestock for incoming storms. However, the challenges remain, particularly when multiple storms hit in quick succession. “Farmers should get cattle to the highest ground and ensure proper identification for livestock, as evacuation may become necessary with little notice,” Strain advised.

Many farmers in rural parishes rely on local resources, such as church groups and community-led volunteer efforts, to help with storm recovery. These grassroots efforts have become an essential part of the rural storm response in areas that often receive less state and federal support.

We Need A Broader Understanding of Storm Impacts

As Tropical Storm Francine moves toward Louisiana, it is crucial to understand the broader impacts beyond city evacuations and storm surges. The long-term effects on agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities are often underreported but just as devastating. Louisiana’s rural economy, ecosystems, and cultural traditions are deeply intertwined, and storms like Francine threaten not only individual livelihoods but also the state’s natural and cultural heritage.

By focusing on these lesser-known impacts, we can gain a more complete picture of the true cost of tropical storms—and the resilience required to recover from them.