Drought, Hurricanes, and Flooding Damage U.S. Farms
In 2024, extreme weather events caused over $20.3 billion in crop losses across the U.S., significantly impacting the agricultural sector. Severe drought, hurricanes, and excessive rainfall devastated crops and rangeland, leaving many farmers struggling to recover.
According to estimates, the Risk Management Agency (RMA) covered $10.9 billion of the losses, while approximately $9.4 billion remained uninsured or outside coverage limits. Crop insurance played a vital role in reducing financial burdens, covering over 53% of damages.
Drought, excessive heat, and wildfires led to over $11 billion in losses, while flooding and hurricanes caused $6.7 billion in damage. Corn and forage crops were the most affected, with losses exceeding $3.85 billion and $3.8 billion, respectively. Cotton and soybeans also suffered, with damages amounting to $2.5 billion and $3.2 billion.
Texas experienced the highest losses at $3.4 billion, mainly due to drought. Minnesota and California followed, with significant damages from flooding and heat-related events. "The number of weather-related disasters continues to grow, impacting farmers across the nation," experts noted.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused billions in agricultural losses across the Southeast. Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana suffered heavy damages in crops like peanuts, cotton, and sugarcane. Nationwide, hurricanes contributed to more than $3 billion in losses.
Despite federal relief efforts, uncovered losses from 2022 to 2024 exceeded $26 billion. The 2025 American Relief Act allocated $21 billion in disaster aid, but gaps remain. Farmers continue to face financial uncertainty, emphasizing the need for timely relief and better risk management strategies.