Crops were demolished and a handful of farm animals killed during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Fay.

Farms have reported losing a significant amount of their Fall and Christmas crop in the storm.

But the full extent of the damage to the island’s agricultural community remains to be seen.

Yesterday farmers and their employees were out in force clearing vast amounts of debris and foliage that had been dumped on their fields by the storm in the hope of saving just some of the young plants.

Anthony Amaral from Amaral Farms told The Royal Gazette: “We have lost a substantial amount of our Fall and Christmas crops; vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage have been hit hard.

“We had done a lot of planting just before the storm, and around three weeks ago.

“It looks like we have lost everything that we planted recently, and it seems very few of the older crops will make it.

“This will mean that the Christmas crops will be later and scarcer in Bermuda this year.

“And on top of that we lost a greenhouse roof and a $15,000 crop of Poinsettias.

“It’s a significant blow to the farm.”

Mr Amaral added: “We have been around our 50 fields today clearing debris and shredding it, but there is still a lot to do.

“And now it looks like we have another one coming our way. That’s bad news.”

Meanwhile Wadson’s Farm in Southampton also sustained heavy damage in the high winds and driving wind that accompanied Tropical Storm Fay.

Farmer Tom Wadson added: “It’s tough to take.

“We really did not need this. But on the plus side at least nobody was hurt.

“We lost a few chickens and one sheep — she had been hand reared and was the only one in the flock who we had given a name. Bella had to be put down because of injuries she suffered in the storm.

“The houses for our laying chickens were tossed all over the place — one ended up in the golf academy.

“And as far as the crops go it’s still too early to say how much we have lost, but it’s not good.

“It’s a serious situation and one we could have really done without.”