(The Center Square) – Soil assessments for damage to fields inflicted by Hurricane Helene is being encouraged by North Carolina agriculture leaders.

"Hurricane Helene caused great devastation throughout much of western North Carolina and farm fields were not spared," the state's Agriculture Department said Friday. "This situation calls for a vigilant approach to soil and crop managements that includes assessment on a field-by-field basis."

In addition to clearing fallen trees and limbs and washed out bridges, farmers should examine fields for soil washed away by the hurricane, the state said.

"For areas where erosion has occurred significant topsoil is lost," the department said. "If so, phosphorus, potassium and signficant microinutrients such as manganese, zince and copper may have been removed."

In addition to the problem of lost soil is dirt that has been carried by flowing storm water onto a farmer’s fields, the state said. That soil may be better or worse that the soil that was in the field before the hurricane hit.

“Sediment or soil eroding from other locations may be deposited over native soil in fields,” the state said. “This can potentially impact fertility. Since this deposition is often topsoil from other locations to floodplain areas, it may have high nutritive value. If predominantly sand has been deposited, it may have relatively low nutrient levels.”

While 2 inches or less of new soil might cause only minimal changes to the fields, the state advised to perform testing on any levels higher than 4 inches.

Soil washed in from another location by flood waters could also be contaminated, the state advised.

“Given the widespread origin of floodwaters, it is difficult to assess contamination of soils since various unknown chemicals can be associated with these events,” the state said. “If there are known chemicals of concern at a given location, use of a commercial environmental lab that offers analysis for contaminants is an option but can be expensive.”

Even replacing lost soil can be challenging.

North Carolina does not have regulations on the quality of top soil.

“Any fill for reconstruction purposes (grading, filling gullies) should be tested for general soil fertility prior to use,” the state said. “It is buyer beware.”