Hurricane Helene destroyed more than 32% of the cotton in Georgia. A preliminary report from the University of Georgia estimates the state lost up to 600,000 bales of cotton. This resulted in $560 million in damages in the second-largest cotton-producing state.

Before the storm, the USDA rated the Georgia cotton crop at 59% good to excellent. In the aftermath of Helene, that dropped to 34%. This is having a large impact on yields. Despite more cotton acres being harvested, the USDA projects yields of 785 pounds per acre this season. That is down from the five-year average of 922 pounds per acre.

In total, estimates place Georgia’s agricultural losses at $5.58 billion. This includes timber, pecans, poultry, beef, tobacco, nursery crops and cotton.

Read more about Georgia cotton yield losses here.