Hurricane Wilma

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Hurricane Wilma
PHOTO DIARY Still Rebuilding One Year Later
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On Oct. 25, 2005, Hurricane Wilma parked over
the sugar-growing region of Florida, pounding
the area with 100 mph winds for 5 hours.
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Every sugar field in the state was hit, and 100
of Floridas sugar crop was flattened and damaged.
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Sugar mills in the state werent spared either.
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Farm equipment was lost
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rail cars used to transport sugar were toppled
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and sugar storage sheds were compromised.
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Total sugar production loss is estimated at
531,000 tons, and damage to Floridas sugar
industry will exceed 500 million.
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40 million in disaster assistance was dedicated
to Florida sugar producers, but Florida also
needs sugar policy stability.
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More than ever, Floridas sugar producers need
policy stability on Capitol Hill. U.S. sugar
policy provides certainty in an uncertain time.
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Congress should extend Americas no-cost sugar
policy. It has a proven track record and will be
key to Floridas rebuilding efforts.