Dr. Leo Jenkins, a former president of East Carolina University, once compared the plight of Eastern North Carolina to that of a bumble bee. A bumble bee, due to its size and weight in relation to its wings, is scientifically not supposed to fly. Yet, it overcomes all obstacles and flies anyway.

In the watery wake of Hurricane Floyd, it has become extremely difficult for many of the 2.1 million people who call Eastern North Carolina home "to fly". Since the sudden impact of the storm made its presence on Thursday, September 16, 1999, torrential rains have caused many creeks and rivers to jump their banks, hundreds of bridges to be washed out, thousands of homes to be flooded, and millions of dollars of livestock, crops, and forests to be destroyed. Over 45 people have lost their lives as a direct result of flooding. It is without a doubt, Eastern North Carolina's worst natural disaster.

Agricultural figures compiled by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture estimate that 2.5 million acres of crop land were affected in Eastern North Carolina. Cotton and tobacco crops suffered the most damage. In the livestock industry, more than 28,000 hogs and 2.1 million chickens were drowned. All agricultural losses in Eastern North Carolina combined will likely exceed 799 million dollars.

One agricultural statistic resulting from Hurricane Floyd, that is not as easily calculated in dollars and cents is the devastation that has been imposed on the agricultural education/FFA family in Eastern North Carolina. There are approximately 7000 agricultural students in 75 FFA chapters in the 34 counties that comprise Eastern North Carolina. Many of these students, along with their FFA advisors and schools were directly affected by the flooding that resulted from the aftermath of the storm.

Victoria Peaden, an eleventh grade member of the North Pitt High School FFA and this year's Northeast Region FFA Secretary was one FFA member who was unfortunate enough to have her home flooded. "Water was over 5 feet deep in our home," she said. "We lost almost everything. I did however, manage to save my official FFA jacket and dress before we were forced to evacuate. I had made up my mind that if I had lost everything else, I was going to at least save my FFA official dress."

Jerry Jones, an agricultural teacher at Greene Central High School was one of the two agriculture teachers directly affected by the flooding. "Water came in to my house about 28 inches deep. Everything that I had was flooded. I farm part-time and my tractors, equipment, cotton, tobacco - - - everything was ruined. Somehow though, we'll get through this."

Many agriculture departments were also affected. School greenhouses and nurseries were destroyed. At West Craven High School, Lee Kirkman, the agriculture teacher reported that water filled the entire shop over 2 feet deep. Supplies, materials, and equipment were destroyed. "It will take us a long time to overcome the affects of this storm," Kirkman said. "But, he added, we will make it."

Eastern North Carolina and agricultural education in Eastern North Carolina will "make it." It will make it because of the generosity of thousands of individuals from all across the country who have contributed millions of dollars and donated tons of clothes and other supplies to its relief efforts. It will make it because of people like Victoria, Jerry, and Lee who are determined to make it. Finally, it will make it because of the faith and perseverance of a region, who like the bumble bee, in spite of all of the obstacles and hardships, will once again spread its wings and fly.

* You may find images of the flood damage on www. cnn.com and search for images of Hurricane Floyd.

Last revised May 22, 2001