USDA Desigantes More Ag Disaster Areas

WASHINGTON - Dec 9/04 - SNS -- The USDA designated counties in Oregon, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming as primary agricultural disaster areas.

Umatilla County in Oregon was designated as a primary disaster area because of losses caused by excessive hail and rainfall that occurred from May 1, 2004, through June 15, 2004. Also eligible because they are contiguous are Grant, Morrow, Union and Wallowa Counties.

Brookings, Codington and Hamlin Counties in South Dakota were designated as primary disaster areas because of losses caused by drought and a cooler than average growing season that occurred from Jan. 1, 2004, and continuing; and an early frost that occurred from Aug. 16, 2004, through Aug. 21, 2004. Also eligible because they are contiguous are Clark, Day, Deuel, Grant, Kingsbury, Lake and Moody Counties.

Uvalde County in Texas was designated as a primary disaster area because of losses caused by rain, flooding and hail that occurred from June 18, 2004, through June 30, 2004. Also eligible because they are contiguous are Bandera, Edwards, Frio, Kinney, Maverick, Medina, Real and Zavala Counties

Deaf Smith County in Texas was designated as a primary disaster area because of losses caused by hail that occurred on Aug. 12, 2004, and rain and hail that occurred on Sept. 22, 2004. Also eligible because they are contiguous are Castro, Oldham, Parmer, Potter and Randall Counties

Washington and Austin Counties were designated as primary disaster areas because of losses caused by rain, flooding, hail and high winds that occurred from June 15, 2004, and continuing. Also eligible because they are contiguous are Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Grimes, Lee, Waller and Wharton Counties.

Culberson County in Texas was designated as a primary disaster area because of losses caused by drought that occurred on Jan. 1, 2004, and continuing. Also eligible because they are contiguous are Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Reeves Counties.

Bailey County in Texas was designated as a primary disaster area because of losses caused by rain, flooding, hail, high winds and lightning that occurred on Oct. 5, 2004. Also eligible because they are contiguous are Cochran, Hockley, Lamb and Parmer Counties.

Albany, Hot Springs, Natrona and Washakie Counties in Wyoming were designated as primary disaster areas because of losses caused by drought that occurred from Jan. 1, 2004, and continuing. Fremont County is also named as a contiguous disaster area.