An estimated quarter-million dollars-plus worth of property damage is being reported in Hertford County resulting from a week-long weather event (Sept. 26 – Oct. 1) that dumped upwards to 24 inches of rain.

On Tuesday, Hertford County Emergency Management Director Chris Smith released the preliminary damage assessment for residents and businesses.

Smith said 26 residences were affected by the flooding, causing an estimated $149,778 worth of damage.

In addition, Smith stated that seven businesses suffered damages projected at $52,825.

Estimated personal property damage was listed at $67,000.

The report was prepared by the Hertford County Damage Assessment Team: Sylvia Anderson, Tax Assessor; Sandy Brock, Assistant Tax Assessor; Gay Sumner, Tax Collector; and Davey Gaston, Inspections.

Smith added that he was still awaiting word on whether or not Hertford County would be declared a federal disaster area.

Late last week, Smith released the amount of damage inflicted by the storm on Hertford County crops….an estimated loss in excess of $2.5 million.

Cotton was affected the most by the heavy rainfall. The reported cotton crop loss, spread out over 13,729 acres, was estimated at $1,129,637.

Damage to 4,000 acres of peanuts in the county was estimated at $705,600.

Less than one-half of the county’s 2,895 acres of tobacco was harvested prior to the storm’s arrival. It was estimated that 1,737 acres of tobacco was unharvested, leaving a projected loss of $370,720 to that crop.

Soybean losses were estimated at $312,296. Hertford County farmers combined to plant 13,346 acres of that crop this season.

The report also revealed approximately 110,000 Perdue chickens were lost due to the weather.

Additionally, the repair estimate for drainage pipes, roadways, and ruts in washed through fields was $30,000.

Brian Saunders, USDA-NRCS; Matt Lowe, Gates County Soil & Water Conservation District; and Paul Smith, NC Agricultural Extension Service, prepared that report.