May tornadoes result $89M in total damage
In May, Arkansas saw a record number of tornadoes touch down in the state causing an estimated $89 million in total economic impacts and potential environmental risk associated with the forest damage experienced in five northern counties.
The National Weather Service reported a record number of 17 tornadoes recorded across Arkansas on May 26 with one tornado having a path width of nearly 2 miles in Benton County.
By: Traci Rushing
Special to The Pine Bluff Commercial
In May, Arkansas saw a record number of tornadoes touch down in the state causing an estimated $89 million in total economic impacts and potential environmental risk associated with the forest damage experienced in five northern counties.
The National Weather Service reported a record number of 17 tornadoes recorded across Arkansas on May 26 with one tornado having a path width of nearly 2 miles in Benton County.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry estimated the tornadoes destroyed $18.4 million worth of timber over 12,400 acres in Benton, Madison, Marion, Baxter and Fulton counties.
Given these numbers, the Arkansas Center for Forest Business conducted an analysis of the full economic impact of this timber loss, which totaled $89 million. This estimate includes the cost of hazard reduction, loss in labor due to timber not being harvested, carbon storage loss and losses of both local and state tax revenues.
To support landowners in this area, the Arkansas Center for Forest Business prepared and reported the economic losses experienced in the five northern counties. Data was shared with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry which led to the Division requesting financial support from Farm Service Agencies to assist landowners in the area.
"The Arkansas Center for Forest Business assists landowners with strategic planning and provides economic values to the Arkansas Agricultural Department Forestry Division and the Arkansas Forestry Association as needed to support in policymakers' decision-making to coordinate disaster funding," said Shaun Tanger, associate professor of Forest Policy and Trade at the University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources.
While the economic impact on the surrounding communities is devastating, the environmental impact of not properly caring for the fallen timber could be detrimental to the ecosystem.
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