Hurricane Irma is expected to pose at least a temporary setback to Florida’s sizzling economy as it takes aim at the heart of the nation’s citrus production and batters its robust tourism industry.
But if the storm causes extensive damage that discourages incoming retirees and tempers runaway population growth, the economic effects could be more substantial, analysts say.
Florida is the nation’s top citrus producer and also leads in sugarcane, tomatoes, watermelons and fresh market cucumbers, according to state government data. Farmers are trying to drain fields of excess water, secure equipment and ensure water pumps work in the event of flooding, says Lisa Lochridge, spokeswoman for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.
“With a storm of this size, people are very, very concerned,” she says.
The most immediate worry is the vast orange crop in central and south Florida. Risks to the crop have increased since forecasts altered the storm’s projected path westward, says Chris Hyde, agricultural meteorologist at MDA Weather Services.
“It’s really in the cross-hairs of this thing,” he says, adding that a vast majority of the citrus crop could be destroyed.