Florida farmers scramble ahead of incoming freeze

MIAMI – Farmers rushed to protect citrus and other crops Tuesday as Florida braced for plunging temperatures, with the governor even lifting certain agricultural regulations as a precaution.

Temperatures were expected to drop below freezing in much of the state Tuesday night, hitting the lower to mid-20s for a few hours in many areas. Wind chill factors were expected to dive into the teens tonight and Thursday morning.

Gov. Charlie Crist issued an order late Monday relaxing restrictions in getting harvested crops moved to processing centers.

Officials were most concerned about the large citrus industry, though the state produces nearly 300 crops and much of the nation’s domestically grown fruits and vegetables during the winter.

“If it only stays below freezing for four to six hours, we’re OK, but after about six hours it starts to do its damage. If it freezes the oranges, obviously they’re no good,” Florida agriculture spokeswoman Liz Compton said.

The early harvest of citrus starts in November and December, Compton said. But beans, corn, cucumbers and eggplant also are being harvested and could be affected, Compton said.

With New Year’s Day temperatures in South Florida still in the 80s, sunbathers got in one last tan Tuesday before temperatures were expected to drop there by about 20 degrees.

Freeze warnings were posted down to areas just north of Tampa and Orlando, according to the National Weather Service.

Some of the coldest weather was expected in the Florida Panhandle, where temperatures into the 20s are forecast.