Tuesday, September 7th, 2004 — While Hurricane Frances was far less damaging than feared, citrus crop damage may set records, Florida officials said Monday, and tourism operators across the state wrote off the normally lucrative Labor Day weekend. Hundreds of grapefruit float Monday under flooded trees near Fort Pierce, Fla. By Richard Graulich, AP
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson said some citrus growers in and around Indian River County in central Florida were reporting 80% to 90% of oranges and grapefruit on the ground. Elsewhere, up to a foot of rain left citrus trees standing in water that could ruin remaining fruit and rot roots.
"Weve never had a storm sit over the whole state and batter it like this before," Bronson said. Intense, but smaller, Hurricane Charley three weeks ago is being blamed for up to $180 million in citrus damage.