A lot of damage left by a big storm in Portugal

Portuguese growers and exporters were getting ready to enjoy christmas after a better than average year for the Rocha pear (the country's pride) and  cabbages in general, when mother nature decided otherwise. 

On December 23rd (2009), portugal was hit by a serious storm which left the Torres Vedras area (north of Lisbon) devastated.  Almost a month later, exporters report  that the loss is reaching the 50 million € mark. 

The storm hit not only the strawberry production, but also salads and tomatoes. Some growers report that as much as 80% of their production has been lost, and have yet to measure the surface of greenhouses that have been damaged. 

Portuguese growers are left devastated and are now hoping the government will declare a natural disaster which would help some of them start all over.