CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The USDA West Virginia Farm Service Agency (FSA) is asking farmers and producers across the state to report any damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ida that swept through West Virginia Tuesday, August 31 and Wednesday, September 1. Some areas of the state received a minimal amount of rain, others like Terra Alta and Tunnelton, in Preston County, saw as much as five inches in a 24-hour period.

“We are fortunate to not see a lot of damage from Hurricane Ida, but it is important to reach out to your local FSA office after your area experiences a natural disaster. There are resources in place to help address the aftermath and it is important West Virginia gets its fair share,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonahardt.

If there is enough damage, FSA can apply for USDA funding to assist farmers and producers. The FSA has 23 local offices throughout West Virginia. If a farmer or producers has damage related to Ida, they must call their local FSA Center. “Farmers need to call their local FSA Service Center and provide basic information as far as what kind of damage, standing water or swift water, related to the storm and what the potential reduction in production/harvest would be,” said John Pettit, an executive officer for operations with the West Virginia Farm Service Agency.

For a list of local FFA offices: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/West-Virginia/index.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials who sits on the Board of Public Works.