Hurricane Isaias made landfall in North Carolina on Monday night and traveled directly through the state's major pork producing counties. Despite heavy rains, initial reports indicate that no pig farms experienced any significant issues. [Source: National Hog Farmer, North Carolina Pork Council 4 August 2020]
There are no reports of impacts to anerobic treatment lagoons and only limited reports of farms that have lost power. Wind damage has been minimal.
Since Hurricane Floyd hit the state more than 20 years ago, causing widespread damage, hurricane preparation has become a year-round practice for pork producers.
Long before hurricane season arrives, farmers carefully manage treatment lagoons to maintain adequate storage in the event of heavy rains. As storms approach, farmers prepare for potential power outages, flooding and other disruptions by positioning generators and animal feed on farms and at key locations in hog-producing counties. When necessary, animals are moved to higher ground or sent to market early.
In addition, hundreds of lagoons in flood-prone areas have been voluntarily closed and no new pig farms have been built in the state during the past two decades.
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