Governor Spencer Cox signed Executive Order 2/026-01 on Friday, declaring a 30-day state of emergency for 10 Utah counties following late-season freezes that caused devastating crop losses.
The emergency order covers Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Iron, Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Utah, and Weber counties. The declaration follows freezing temperatures recorded on April 3, 4, 17, and 18, when weather stations documented temperatures below 26 degrees Fahrenheit for more than eight hours.
State officials reported that apricot, sweet cherry, tart cherry, plum, peach, pear, and apple crops suffered losses between 95% and 100%. KSL News reported that Pyne Farms in Utah County experienced a total loss of its entire season's harvest. Additionally, wheat and alfalfa producers are facing production losses.
The freeze followed unseasonably warm conditions in March that led to early crop production. Governor Cox stated that the unexpected frost after a warm period left many facing devastating losses, noting that emergency resources are critical for farmers' recovery. The state's agricultural sector was already under pressure from record-low snowpack and temperatures during the water year that were nearly 3 degrees above previous records.
Kelly Pehrson, commissioner of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, said the order allows for the opening of disaster relief programs and provides eligibility for federal assistance. The emergency declaration, made under the Disaster Response and Recovery Act, remains in effect for 30 days unless extended by the Utah Legislature.
