By Andi Anderson
Natural disasters like hurricanes can cause severe economic and environmental damage, as seen recently in the southeastern U.S. Researchers have found that hurricanes are increasingly reaching higher latitudes, putting regions like the Corn Belt at risk.
Laura Bowling, professor of agronomy at Purdue University, explains that climate change is intensifying these storms. Warmer ocean temperatures increase evaporation, fueling stronger hurricanes that bring heavy rains and high winds further inland. These conditions threaten agricultural systems, causing flooding, wind damage, and potential crop loss.
To mitigate these risks, small agribusinesses and farmers must adopt proactive strategies. “Having insurance in place and understanding the policies of your insurance coverage is a big deal,” said Maria Marshall, director of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development and an expert in disaster resilience. “So is having your important documents in the cloud or backed up somewhere else"
“The infrastructure around small businesses is going to be the most important to help them get back up and running so they can support their customers.” said Marshall.
In the aftermath of a disaster, the ability to resume operations quickly is crucial. Marshall advises small businesses to utilize federal, state, and local disaster relief resources, such as Small Business Administration disaster loans. The support system surrounding small businesses is vital for recovery.
Farmers also face unique challenges from natural disasters. Data from 2023 shows that most corn and soybean acres in Indiana are covered by crop insurance, which helps recover losses caused by events like drought or flooding. Revenue protection insurance offers an additional layer of security by compensating for yield drops.
“In 2012, when Indiana had a major drought, crop insurance covered some of the losses related to the huge drop in yield.” said Michael Langemeier, associate director of Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “With changing weather patterns, people need to think about what precautions to take, like changing crops, when they plant crops and seed variety.”
Contingency planning is essential. While it’s impossible to predict every scenario, having strategies in place can make all the difference in withstanding and recovering from disasters. Planning ahead is key to safeguarding livelihoods in an unpredictable climate.
Photo Credit: freepik-upklyak
Categories: Indiana, Business, Weather