After a very wet week here in central Arkansas, many have been dealing with the aftermath of the storm, including a local strawberry farm that suffered unusual damage.
CABOT, Arkansas — It’s been a very wet week in central Arkansas as several back-to-back storms hit the area.
Although things seem to be drying out now, some people have still been dealing with the aftermath of the recent storms. Holland Bottom Farm in Cabot was hit by a pair of lightning strikes that destroyed an area of approximately 50 feet.
Owner Tim Odom said he’s glad it happened at the end of strawberry season.
“This is exactly where it hit, it definitely killed that plant and that’s why everything here is brown, that’s it,” Odom described.
A large color difference could be seen after lightning struck one of the strawberry fields on Monday afternoon. Unfortunately, Odom said it’s not that unusual for something like this to happen.
“It’s not the first one we’ve had on the field. I’ve had three or four at a time, which, when you have so many at once, consumes the entire surface. And if it’s early in the season, you’re done choosing,” described.
While it’s never something he wants, he said it’s better to happen this time of year.
“We’re at the end of the season, so we’re okay with that,” Odom added.
He took to social media to show customers the damage.
“Every time we see lightning, we stop picking up. Some customers get upset, but it’s not worth someone dying over it,” he explained.
However, lightning isn’t the only thing causing problems, all the rain we’ve seen in recent weeks has also caused them some problems.
“This makes the job ten times more difficult,” he added.
Although he said they are still picking strawberries.
“A neighboring farmer about 14 miles from here said he had 44 inches so far this year since January 1. So we’re close to that. It’s been tough, but we’ve done it,” he said.
However, if Odom had to choose, he said he prefers all the rain to a drought.
“It’s going to dry out very quickly, so I have to prepare to make 30 acres of plastic and I can’t do it without the humidity. So a man told me in 1981 that we were in a drought and to never get angry about the rain. because “You can’t grow anything in a drought. So I’m not angry about the rain, but it needs to stop a little,” he explained.
Holland Bottom wasn’t the only farm affected by the recent storms. Other people in the area were recently affected by massive hail, but help is available.
Row crop farmers who have suffered storm damage can receive disaster assistance through the USDA farm services agency.
For more information, click here.
[fifu]
Keynote USA
For the Latest Local News, Follow Keynote USA Local on Twitter.