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Hurricane Rita cut a wide swath through Texas timber country, affecting some 771,000 acres with an estimated loss of $833 million, according to Texas Forest Service officials.
"The total damaged and affected trees by Hurricane Rita are estimated at 967 million cubic feet, or about 6 percent of the total East Texas timber growing stock," said Jim Hull, state forester and Texas Forest Service director.
Damaged trees are those that are likely to die within 12 months. Affected trees, while not likely to die in 12 months, are those with growth that will likely be impaired.
In 2004, 645 million cubic feet of timber was harvested in East Texas. The total damaged timber from Rita was slightly less than that at 533 million, but the total damaged plus affected was more.
"The worst damage the crews found was in southern Newton and Jasper counties," said Burl Carraway, assistant department head of the Texas Forest Service Forest Sustainability and Economic Development Department.
According to a damage assessment report submitted by Juan Garcia, agricultural program manager for the Texas State Farm Service Agency office, some 280 poultry farms were affected by Rita in Shelby, Nacogdoches, Angelina, San Augustine, Sabine and Panola counties. Lack of power seemed to be the biggest problem, with some growers noting loss of birds and seeking relief from the high cost of fuel to run generators.
Although a few reports of dead cattle have been received, Garcia reported missing cattle were the biggest problem, with fences down across the region. The report indicated some damage to the second rice crop, soybeans, and forage sorghum.
Also, some areas in East Texas remained without electricity at press time.
Donations continue to pour in to help
farmers, ranchers and rural areas hit hard by
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Gene Hall (left), Texas Farm
Bureau Public Relations director, accepts a check for
$1,000 from Matt Dawson, representing funds raised by
China Spring High School's Peer Assistance
Leadership (PALS) Chapter. That donation was matched
by GLASSDOCTOR, a glass repair company for autos,
homes and businesses. The donations will go to the
Farm Bureau Hurricane Ag Fund, where 100 percent of
the proceeds will help farmers in the devastated
regions get back on their feet. Donors can earmark
their funds to a certain state, or just donate to
the overall fund. In the wake of Hurricane Rita,
Texas farmers are eligible for aid from the fund.
Donations continue to be accepted. Checks should be
mailed to: AFBFA/Hurricane Ag Fund, 600 Maryland Ave.
SW, Suite 900, Washington, D.C. 20024.
