The County of Monterey Agricultural Commissioner’s Office released updated numbers for crop damages from the March storms.

The ag commissioner had previously reported storm damage from the January storms totaled $336 million. The number includes direct storm damages, current loss estimates and projected future losses. 

The storms in January were just the beginning for the Central Coast; by the end of March, twelve atmospheric rivers had battered the region. Causing flooding, levee destruction and more. 

The county estimates that the March storms caused $264 million in damages.

In total, an estimated 8,700 acres of crops were destroyed or unable to be planted due to flooding, the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office reported. 

“This has proven to be one of the most difficult winters many of our growers and communities have experienced in our area,” said Juan Hidalgo, the Monterey County agricultural commissioner.

The January and March storm events this winter cumulatively impacted a total of 20,073 acres and created $600 million of damage to our agricultural industry.

Strawberries, lettuce and vegetable crops were the hardest hit in Monterey County. Strawberries alone accounted for $160 million in losses.

Source - https://www.ksbw.com