A few weeks ago we wrote about floods. This week we’re taking the higher (and drier) road and looking at drought data across the U.S. Everyone from the local almond farmer to the preschool student are feeling the effects of water shortages in areas of California, but with so much rain in the East and Midwest, it’s hard for much of the country to understand the severity of the problem.
The maps below help illustrate the drought issue in the Western half of the United States. A recent article from National Geographic predicts a long continuance of this terrifyingly dry tale. As the authors state, “Drought often has significant impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, and city water supplies,” which we know translates into problems in population health.
Take a look at the maps below to see the areas most affected by drought over the past couple of years. Click on the map to open it in the Maproom and zoom to your location for a closer look.