Drought has caused natural and economic disaster conditions in Oregon —Gov. Brown
Oregon’s Gov. Brown has declared drought emergencies in eight additional counties due to low water conditions caused by drought and low snow pack levels. The new declaration bring the total to 15, so far this year, compared with 9 counties in 2014.
“Projected precipitation and climatic conditions are not expected to alleviate the continuing drought conditions, and the drought is having significant economic and other impacts on communities and on agricultural, livestock, and natural resources,” said Brown in her Executive Order. “I find that continuing dry conditions, low snowpack, and lack of precipitation have caused natural and economic disaster conditions in Deschutes, Grant, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Morrow, Umatilla, and Wasco Counties.”
“We are going to experience one of the worst droughts in the history of our state. Snowpack is at historic lows and severe water shortages are nearly a certainty in many areas,” Brown said.
“The majority of our state is parched due to the warm winter and lack of snow,” She said. “As we move into summer, many areas of the state are going to dry out very quickly, likely leading to a difficult fire season as well as water shortages. We need our state, local and federal partners to be prepared as our communities grapple with hot and dry conditions.”
Brown declared drought emergencies in Baker, Crook, Harney, Klamath, Lake, Malheur and Wheeler counties in April.
“The drought means water shortages for farming and ranching operations, as well as to low river and stream levels. While recreational areas around the state are open for business as we head into Memorial Day weekend, long-term forecasts continue to call for temperatures well above normal,” said the Governor’s office in a statement.
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