Waters surged when snowmelt merged with a late-winter storm in the U.S. Midwest. Swollen rivers are flooding farmland, submerging livestock and crops. Known as the breadbasket of America, the Midwest states produce billions of dollars’ worth of grains and animal products.
Now flooding threatens crop production. Livestock is at risk. So is the livelihood of thousands of farmers.
Jeff Jorgensen understands the gravity of a flood. His 750 acres of land are under water. The likelihood of planting this year is dim. It took days to move his farm equipment to higher ground. In his county, Jorgensen estimates that a million and a half bushels of stockpiled corn and soybeans have been lost. For the 28 farmers in his area, that loss equals more than $7 million dollars.
Surprisingly, the financial loss for that stored grain is not insured. Many farmers carry insurance on their crops in the field. But once it is deposited in storage bins, the coverage ends. This year’s loss is substantial. “The economy in agriculture is not very good right now. It will end some of these folks farming, family legacies, family farms,” says Jorgensen.
Grain hasn’t been the only loss for Midwest farmers. Hog farms are affected—even those that haven’t completely lost their animals. According to Chad Hart, an agricultural economist at Iowa State University, “Places that haven’t seen animal loss have seen a lot of animal stress. That means they’re not gaining weight and won’t be marketed in as timely a manner, which results in additional cost.” In Nebraska alone—one of the hardest hit states—that comes to about $500 million in expected livestock losses.
Flooding affects more than wide-open spaces. Hundreds of homes and businesses have been lost. Vice President Mike Pence visited Nebraska last Tuesday. He promised expedited help for disaster victims. “We’re going to make sure that federal resources are there for you,” Pence told people in the town of Waterloo, which has been virtually cut off by floodwaters.
In Missouri, many roads are closed and residents have been evacuated. The village of Watson is unreachable due to a burst levee. A levee is a man-made barrier that regulates water levels. In Watson, the broken levee allowed thousands of acres to flood.
Floodwaters may threaten and farmland may be damaged. The people of the Midwest United States need prayers on their behalf. But God is faithful, and He is greater than any flood.
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. — Psalm 29:10
(This March 18, 2019, photo shows flooded farmland and grain silos along the Missouri River. AP Photo)
