DARLINGTON - Lafayette County wants to hear from farmers who may have lost part of their crops Friday due to severe weather that included heavy rains and hail.
Lafayette County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sauer estimated up to 35,000 acres of crops were damaged in the storm. Sauer said in some places the storm cut a swath between six and eight miles wide.
He said some of the corn damaged in the storm can't even be used for silage for cows.
"It is just completely worthless," Sauer said.
Lafayette County Chief Deputy and Emergency Management Director John Reichling said people whose crops were damaged need to contact him at (608) 776-4870 and report any damage as soon as possible. They also can call the United States Department of Agriculture at (608) 776-4028. He said any attempt to receive state or federal disaster assistance will depend on a total and accurate assessment.
Reichling said there is no guarantee any assistance will be available. But by not reporting it, farmers have no chance of getting any help.
Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley, in a news release Friday, said "thousands of acres of corn, soybeans and other farm crops may have been severely damaged by hail and wind."
Pedley said reports indicated that hail that was dime-sized to 1 1/2 inches in diameter fell on the western and southwestern portion of the country between 4:30 and 10 p.m. Friday.
"In White Oak Springs township a snowplow was used to clear roadways of fallen hail," Pedley said.
Belmont, Elk Grove and Benton townships were the hardest hit. Some crops also were damaged south of Gratiot
Pedley said the townships experienced damaging winds, hail and rain.
Friday's storm destroyed five buildings near Shullsburg and in New Diggings township. Hail damage to structure roofs and to vehicles also was reported.
Pedley said some townships had water over the roads for up to two hours after the storm passed.
No injuries were reported in the county.
Lafayette County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sauer estimated up to 35,000 acres of crops were damaged in the storm. Sauer said in some places the storm cut a swath between six and eight miles wide.
He said some of the corn damaged in the storm can't even be used for silage for cows.
"It is just completely worthless," Sauer said.
Lafayette County Chief Deputy and Emergency Management Director John Reichling said people whose crops were damaged need to contact him at (608) 776-4870 and report any damage as soon as possible. They also can call the United States Department of Agriculture at (608) 776-4028. He said any attempt to receive state or federal disaster assistance will depend on a total and accurate assessment.
Reichling said there is no guarantee any assistance will be available. But by not reporting it, farmers have no chance of getting any help.
Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley, in a news release Friday, said "thousands of acres of corn, soybeans and other farm crops may have been severely damaged by hail and wind."
Pedley said reports indicated that hail that was dime-sized to 1 1/2 inches in diameter fell on the western and southwestern portion of the country between 4:30 and 10 p.m. Friday.
"In White Oak Springs township a snowplow was used to clear roadways of fallen hail," Pedley said.
Belmont, Elk Grove and Benton townships were the hardest hit. Some crops also were damaged south of Gratiot
Pedley said the townships experienced damaging winds, hail and rain.
Friday's storm destroyed five buildings near Shullsburg and in New Diggings township. Hail damage to structure roofs and to vehicles also was reported.
Pedley said some townships had water over the roads for up to two hours after the storm passed.
No injuries were reported in the county.