Gov. Linda Lingle has sent a request to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for an agricultural disaster declaration for Kauai and Honolulu Counties because of the heavy rain and flooding that occurred between Dec. 10 and 16.

She requested a disaster declaration for agricultural production losses as well as physical losses sustained by farmers. The request will start the procedure for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine the extent of agricultural losses.

“;The Hawaii Department of Agriculture has received reports of significant damage to agricultural crops due to the storm,”; said Sandra Lee Kunimoto, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “;We expect that those farmers will continue to experience losses in production in the coming weeks and months.”;

If a disaster declaration is issued, farmers will be able apply for assistance, such as low-interest loans from the federal government. More than 500 Oahu residents have reported damage to their homes or vehicles, and it has been estimated that damages on Kauai exceed $2.5 million.