The USDA is deploying “surge teams” to aid in recovery efforts, with damages expected to measure in the billions. A better picture of the damage is coming into focus as farmers begin to assess property damages.

Director of Public Affairs for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Andrea Ashby said many fields near rivers are flooded, and several nurseries and plants washed away. People are still missing and many roads remain impassable. At least one apple orchard is submerged. Farmers and ranchers are struggling to get feed and supplies due to flooding and road closures.

Major commodities grown in affected parts of North Carolina include apples, tomatoes, dairy and beef cattle, trout and Christmas trees. North Carolina grows nearly 20% of Christmas trees in the United States.

Poultry farms, pecan farms and peanut fields were severely damaged in Georgia. Trees were uprooted and acres of orchards were wiped out. Helene is the third hurricane to strike the Florida Gulf area over the past 14 months. Idalia and Debbied caused more than $700 million in losses.

The USDA said damage from Helene covers more than 4.8 million acres and encompasses more than 38,000 crop insurance policies.

Read more on the impact of Hurricane Helene here.