Hurricane Florence Is Threatening Thanksgiving Turkeys
- North Carolina, in path of Florence, is top U.S. turkey state
- Large supplies in cold storage can ease concerns of shortage
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Hurricane Florence is barreling toward the No. 1 turkey state just a couple months before Thanksgiving. But thanks can be given to frozen stockpiles that will likely help prevent a shortage of holiday birds.
The storm is heading straight for North Carolina, threatening the turkey industry as coastal residents flee what may be the most powerful hurricane to hit the area in 64 years. The state is also a leading producer of hogs and chicken. While most animals are raised in indoor barns, high winds and heavy rain can risk losses and processing slowdowns, according to Will Sawyer, an economist at CoBank.