Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller declared an agricultural emergency Thursday, activating state resources to help producers recover as flooding continued to damage farms and ranches across Central and South Texas.
The declaration opens the Texas Department of Agriculture's Hay and Feed Hotline to coordinate donations, activates the privately funded State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund to help cover uninsured agricultural losses such as fencing and livestock disposal, and increases outreach for the AgriStress Helpline, which provides mental health support and connects producers with disaster assistance.
Miller said it's too early to estimate losses because many flooded areas remain inaccessible, but he expects the damage will rival last July’s Hill Country floods.
"I think it's going to be comparable. I really do," Miller told The Texas Newsroom. "I think the magnitude of the floods is just as bad."
