For the second time this month the elements have brought local business owners to their knees.
Three weeks ago it was shop owners when flood and storm waters inundated Molong.
On Tuesday evening when a hailstorm thrashed the city and its surrounds few of the districts 60 orchardists were spared. Some have lost entire crops.
The damage bill is expected to pass $5 million with apricots and cherries stripped from trees.
There was anger yesterday by at least one grower that the State Government should do more to support the orchardists who have lost crops.
The Member for Orange Russell Turner also called on the Government to declare the Orange district a natural disaster area qualifying effected growers for loans of up to $130,000 with a two year interest and repayment free period.
The Government cannot stop hail and an interest free period will only provide short-lived relief.
NSW Farmers Association regional service manager Graham Blatch raised concerns that the crop destruction would result in a spike in cherry prices in the supermarket that would not relate to increased returns for growers.
For years farm groups have been pushing for a more transparent chain of supply between the farm gate and the supermarket and this latest disaster might give that lobby new impetus.
It is almost certain that some of the fruit that did survive will carry blemishes that will not meet the standards of some of the big supermarket chains.
Orange residents can do their bit to help by supporting the district's orchardists by taking their trade to the farm gate.