8 Facts About The Record U.S. Drought

While Tropical Storm Erin brought relief to some drought-stricken areas, and heavy rains caused deadly flooding in parts of the upper Midwest, much of the country continued to bake in record heat last week, resulting in an intensification of already historic drought conditions, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, released this morning.

In the West, continued dry conditions led to expansion of wildfires, including the declaration of a statewide emergency in Idaho, which together with Montana accounts for the lion's share of the nation's wildfires currently burning. For more on wildfires, click here.

The Southeast remains the hardest hit by drought and heat -- with at least eight people having died last week from extreme heat -- a record string of 100-degrees plus days -- in Alabama, the heart of the drought. Crops were suffering and streams were flowing at or near record-low levels. Click the map for more detailed information. Some facts about the current situation in the Southeast:

• It's been the driest, or second driest year ever recorded, to date, in the Montgomery-area of Alabama.
• No rain at all fell in August in parts of eastern Tennessee and southwest Virginia.
• Some streams are not only at record-low levels, but at 60-80% of previous record low levels.
• Barge traffic on the Tennessee River is restricted because water levels are so low.
• Underground fires have started in North Carolina due to the drought.
• The number of forest fires in North Carolina has set a new record.
• Many areas have received one to two feet less rain since January than is typical.
• Farmers have exhausted backup irrigation ponds in many places, and 57-87% of key cropland was rated very poor for soil moisture.

Perhaps the most disheartening statement in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report: "No major storm systems are forecasted to impact the Southeast in the next 6 to 10 days."

COMMENTS ()