Spatial Analysis of U.S. Agriculture Losses Due to Hailfall over the Past 29 Years

Hailstones produced within convective storms cause widespread and costly damage. Over the past decade, average annual insured losses across the United States for severe storms have exceeded $10 billion USD on average, the majority of which is driven by damage from hail. Damage to vehicles and buildings are the most noticed impact of hail, but agricultural damage is a major concern to farmers and the nation’s economy. Agriculture, a major component of the United States Gross Domestic Product, sees an average monetary loss from hail damage in excess of $100 million annually. Crop-loss information from the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency’s Cause of Loss Historical Dataset was obtained at the county-level for 1989 through 2017. A spatial analysis of crop type and losses experienced was performed to identify shifts in the intensity and locations of losses. Select crops were chosen for the study based on highest loss by (adjusted) dollar amount, acreage, and dollar per acre over the study period. The USDA Census of Agriculture was used to allow comparison of crop-loss to the underlying growing area for each selected crop type. Ultimately, year to year and month to month variations select crop loss highlight unique seasonal and climatological shifts to both hail incidence and crop vulnerability.