severe drought
Newsletter
Credit: Sven Lachmann/Pixabay
Drought intensifies across the eastern US
A severe drought has expanded from the Ohio Valley to the South, impacting more than a dozen states and prompting emergency declarations in some areas.
In short:
- The eastern U.S. is experiencing a "flash" drought due to record heat and lack of rain, affecting more than a dozen states from Ohio to Georgia.
- Severe drought conditions have prompted a state of emergency in West Virginia and disaster relief loans from the USDA for affected regions.
- The National Weather Service forecasts above-average rainfall in August, which could ease drought conditions in some areas.
Key quote:
It's "probably one of the driest years I've seen."
— Owner of Higson’s Farm in Wiley Ford, West Virginia
Why this matters:
Prolonged drought conditions threaten agriculture, water supply and increase the risk of wildfires in affected regions. Anticipated rainfall could provide relief, but significant precipitation is needed to mitigate ongoing drought impacts.
Keep reading...Show less
Colorado wildfire kills one, signaling fire season is far from over
The Kruger Rock fire in northern Colorado has burned about 145 acres, fire officials said. A plane carrying fire suppressant crashed this week, killing the pilot.
Maps show the severe drought gripping California and the West
Maps show that drought conditions are the most widespread and severe in at least 20 years, with reservoirs running dry.
www.theatlantic.com
The casualties of Chennai's River restoration
Officials are evicting nearly 60,000 families in the name of environmentalism.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE