x
Breaking News
More () »

'You mention tropical storms, we get nervous:' Dooly County farmers prep for possible severe weather

Dooly County was one south Georgia county hit the worst during Hurricane Michael a year ago. Now, with severe weather in the forecast, farmers are worried.

DOOLY COUNTY, Ga. — Austin Warbington owns Warbington Farms in Vienna. He harvests cotton, peanuts, and corn.

"You mention tropical storms, we get nervous," he says, "We have over 4,000 acres [of cotton], we're probably 50 percent picked right now, or should be by the end of the day."

He says Hurricane Michael was devastating for the cotton crop last year, partially due to the rain, but also the wind.

With possible heavy winds coming this weekend, Warbington says he's confident his cotton can withstand the storm because of its tightness.

"It'll keep the lint on the plant where you can still pick it, and make it where it won't end up on the ground like all of it did last year," he says.

Up the road, Ellis Brother Pecans say they lost about 4,000 trees during Hurricane Michael. Brad Ellis says the trees they did rehab may not survive high winds.

"The trees that we stood up, if they move again while the roots are still trying to grow back, it'll break those roots and it'll wind them on up," says Ellis.

He says he is more concerned for the older trees, which may not be as sturdy.

"Really, the biggest scare of the wind is if we get a lot of rain before the wind, a lot of the bigger trees will topple from that," he says.

Unlike cotton, Ellis says the next two weeks are vital for pecan harvesting.

RELATED: Tropical Storm Nestor to bring wind and rain to central Georgia on Saturday

RELATED: Tropical Storm Nestor, summer drought a bad combo for Central Georgia trees

STAY ALERT | Download our FREE app now to receive breaking news and weather alerts. You can find the app on the Apple Store and Google Play.

STAY UPDATED | Click here to subscribe to our Midday Minute newsletter and receive the latest headlines and information in your inbox every day.

Have a news tip? Email news@13wmaz.com, or visit our Facebook page.

Before You Leave, Check This Out