By: Erin Smith
While the forecast track of Hurricane Matthew has shifted a little more eastward as of the 11 a.m. advisory, NC Gov. Pat McCrory reminded North Carolinians that the state is not out of the woods yet with regards to the storm. Projected rainfall from Hurricane Matthew could present a challenge to farmers as they try to gather their crops ahead of the storm.
Rainfall amounts from the storm are forecast to be between 3 to 5 inches with some localized areas possibly receiving more. With the new forecast track showing the storm staying further to the east, Clarkton farmer Dan Ward said that was very good news for the peanut crop.
He said that last weeks rainfall has left some fields so soggy that tractors cannot enter them. Ward said that on his farm, he is “lifting” the peanuts that have already been dug in an attempt to dry them out so they can be harvested. Ward said each time you touch the vines, some of the peanuts drop off.
“We are trying to rush and get as many peanuts dug was we can while at the same time harvesting what we had already dug (last week),” said Ward.
He said the turn of events with the forecast track of Hurricane Matthew is a blessing and will give farmers a longer window of opportunity to get their crops harvested.
“We’ve got a really good crop, if we can save it,” said Ward of this year’s peanut harvest.
He said that on his farm, about 70 percent of the crop has been dug but only 30 percent of those have been harvested completely. Ward also said that on his farm, there are fields that are too wet to enter with a tractor.
According to reports, some farmers have not been able to dig their peanuts while others have fields that remain under water from last week’s rainfall. As a result farmers everywhere are rushing to complete their harvesting ahead of Hurricane Matthew’s arrival.
Ward said the State of Emergency declared by Gov. Pat McCrory earlier in the week was beneficial. He said with that in place, farmers were able to harvest their fields without worrying about getting hit with a violation. Ward also said that the State of Emergency will open up some doors for assistance with clean up and those types of things following the storm.
“We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. We’re doing our work,” said Ward.
As farmers rushed to complete their harvesting efforts, some evacuations were under way in South Caroline and North Carolina.
During a press conference on Wednesday morning, Gov. McCrory said that Okracoke Island was evacuating visitors from the island and the state’s ferry system has adjusted its schedules to assist those leaving the island. He said Dare County and Pamlico County were also monitoring the storm.
“Just during the past hour we have gotten some good news,” said Gov. McCrory as the forecast track of Hurricane Matthew has moved further east. He added that the current forecast track is a completely different model from the one produced yesterday.
“This does not mean we don’t keep our guard up. Our goal is to be over-prepared and underwhelmed,” said Gov. McCrory.
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