Martha Roby: “Just over a month ago, Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States…”

“Just over a month ago, Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States mainland, ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Hundreds of Americans lost everything, and more than 30 people were killed. Hurricane Michael appears to have done its worst in Panama City, Florida, and nearby areas, but Alabama's Second District was also badly impacted in several counties in the Wiregrass Region. In fact, Hurricane Michael is the most powerful storm to ever hit Houston County, according to recorded history. In my district, the agricultural community faces the most significant devastation. While the full scale of the damage to local agriculture is still being assessed, Hurricane Michael dealt a terrible blow to our cotton, timber, and peanut farmers. In the aftermath of the storm, I traveled to the Wiregrass several times to be with our farmers and to see firsthand what they were experiencing. The devastation is heartbreaking, to say the least. The farmers in southeast Alabama are in the midst of a very real crisis. In Alabama's Second District, agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities. Their work to provide the food and fiber we depend on is vitally important.…”