Poultry processors in the path of Hurricane Isaac are stockpiling fuel, testing generators and making other preparations to keep their plants and chicken houses operational. Reuters reports that such precaution by chicken producers Sanderson Farms and Tyson Foods Inc come amid a growing sense of caution by the chicken industry, which was hard hit by Hurricane Katrina seven years ago.
Back then, storm-related damages to agricultural industries topped $2 billion. Farms were destroyed, processing plants were shut down and high winds crushed chicken houses and killed flocks.