A recent report from Colorado State University noted that there could be as many as 15 named storms this year that originate in the Atlantic basin. Breaking down the prediction further, the school's forecast team said there would be eight hurricanes, with four of them being "major."
"Based on our latest forecast, the probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline is 69 percent compared with the last-century average of 52 percent," said William Gray, a CSU representative.
Hurricanes not only damage homes, but can also cause havoc among agricultural products in affected areas. For example, an estimate released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2005 indicated that farm losses from Hurricane Katrina were almost $900 million.
Other weather factors, such as flooding, can also cause headaches for those who use farm equipment to make a living. Heavy rains can make it too wet to plow, delaying planting and harvesting. Excessive moisture can also ruin crops, as was the case in parts of the U.S. last year.
