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Abstract
Hurricanes have caused substantial damage in parts of the U.S. Damages are increasing,
perhaps as part of a natural cycle or perhaps in part related to global warming. This paper
examines the economic damages that hurricanes cause to U.S. agriculture, estimates the
increased damage from an increase in hurricane frequency/intensity, and examines the way
that sectoral reactions reduce damages. The simulation results show that hurricanes and
associated adjustments cause widespread damage and redistribute agricultural welfare. We
find that crop mix shifts of vulnerable crops from stricken to nonstricken regions significantly
mitigate hurricane damages.