Troxler says farmers feeling impacts of rainfall

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – The latest on the rainstorm affecting North Carolina (all times local):

12 p.m.

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler says farmers are beginning to see the impact of the continuous rain on their crops.

Troxler told a media briefing on Saturday that fields are soaked, and fresh fruits are being damaged because of the rain. He said field crops are also being affected because farmers can’t get into the fields to harvest them. He said some of the apples in Henderson County are starting to split open because they’re waterlogged, and that the longer harvests are delayed, the more damage that will occur.

He said water coming in from the Atlantic Ocean is laden with salt, and that is detrimental to crops as well.

10:45 a.m.

The city of Wilmington has declared a state of emergency as heavy rains advance on North Carolina.

The declaration took effect on Friday at 6 p.m. City officials issued a statement saying the decision was based on the anticipation of heavy rains and the possibility that Hurricane Joaquin will make a turn toward the U.S. coast.

Emergency dispatchers said the city has blocked off Water Street at Market Street in the downtown area because of ponding water.

Among other areas declaring states of emergency in southeastern North Carolina were Sunset Beach, Topsail Beach and New Hanover County.

8:45 p.m.

The North Carolina State Climate Office is receiving numerous reports of damage and flash flooding as a result of the torrential rains moving through the state.

The reports range from downed trees and a small landslide in the mountains to flash flooding and road closings farther to the east. In the town of Robbins in Moore County almost 2 feet of water washed over a street overnight.

The National Weather Service in Raleigh says a flash flood watch remains in effect and could be extended into Monday.

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