Frost-Ruined Crops Lead Governor to Declare Florida a Disaster Area

Gov. Bob Martinez declared the entire state a disaster area Thursday because of the record-setting Christmas freeze, a move that could open the door to federal loans for growers who lost crops.

Martinez signed an executive order declaring the state a disaster area and sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Clayton K. Yeutter asking for approval of the loans after he toured freeze-damaged vegetable farms in southern Florida.

“From what I have seen, there is no question that Florida has suffered devastating losses and that our state is a disaster area,” Martinez said. “We must now do everything we can to help those whose lives and livelihoods have been ravaged by the unmerciful weather.”

There is no estimate of the cost of the freeze. State officials will assess each county to determine its exact loss. Such data is needed before a federal declaration is made. That could take three weeks.

The hard freeze Saturday and Sunday nights damaged Florida’s 700,000-acre citrus belt as well as winter vegetable crops, much of which would have gone to markets in the Northeast.

Florida’s tropical fish industry, sugar cane crops and plant nurseries also suffered heavy losses.

Higher vegetable prices already have been reported, but the impact on citrus prices could be minimal because of a large juice reserve and the quick processing of frostbitten fruit into juice concentrate.

The governor’s order affects all 67 Florida counties and opens the door to a possible disaster declaration by President Bush.

A declaration would make unemployment assistance, direct grants and other assistance, as well as Farmers Home Administration loans, available to growers.

Martinez previously declared a state of emergency that waived truck weight restrictions so growers could quickly haul their citrus to processing plants.