Drought Spreads in the U.S.

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
WORSENING DROUGHT
MULTIPLE CROP DISASTERS
SCENARIO 03
.

Extreme and Exceptional Drought Levels Spread across the U.S.

About 50.67 percent of the contiguous U.S. is experiencing Abnormally Dry to Exceptional Drought conditions this week, compared to 48.82 percent last week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

U.S. Drought Map – May 6, 2014

U.S. Drought Map as of May 6, 2014. Source: US Drought Monitor.

Drought Monitor Class Change

U.S. Drought Monitor Class Change – April 29, 2014 – May 6, 2014.

Related Links

• Drought Disaster Destroys Crops in Six States May 1, 2014
• LAST CHANCE TO DECORPORATIZE, REHUMANIZE April 27, 2014
• U.S. Drought Expands April 25, 2014
• Drought Disaster Declared for Crops in 9 States  April 24, 2014

• Drought Destroys Texas Crops April 24, 2014
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

U.S. Drought Change

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
DROUGHT
CROP DISASTERS
.

Severe, Extreme and Exceptional Drought Levels Marginally Spread across Contiguous U.S.

Severe, Extreme and Exceptional Drought levels (D2 – D4) covered 21.71 percent of contiguous U.S. this week, an increase  of about 0.15 percent (0.13 percent of the U.S.) compared with last week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Abnormally Dry conditions and Moderate Drought receded by about 1.38 percent in the contiguous U.S. (0.74 percent in the U.S.), compared with last week.

The following map shows the weekly change in drought levels (classes) across the U.S.

U.S. Drought Monitor Class Change. Source: The National Drought Mitigation Center

Crop Disasters

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared crop disasters for 15 additional counties in Texas and New Mexico, due to the worsening drought.

Related Links: 2014 Agriculture Disaster Declarations

• Crop Disasters Declared for Texas, New Mexico March 13, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in 12 States on March 7, 2014
• Crop Disaster Declared in Three States February 27, 2014
• Crop Disaster Declared in 3 States February 14, 2014
• Crop Disaster Declared For 8 States Due to Extreme Weather  February 7, 2014
• UPDATE: Drought Causes Crop Disaster in 25 Counties across 4 States February 6, 2014
• California Drought Worsens February 6, 2014
• California Drought Could Paralyze the U.S.  February 2, 2014
• California Drops State Water Allocation to Zero  February 1, 2014
• California Drought Intensifies January 30, 2014
• California Communities Could Run Out of Water in 60 to 120 Days January 29, 2014
• Drought Disaster Declared for Multiple Counties in Four States January 25, 2014
• California Declares Drought State of Emergency January 18, 2014
• California Governor to Declare Drought Emergency January 17, 2014
• High Fire Danger in Southern California amid Driest Conditions on Record January 17, 2014
• 520 Counties across 16 States Declared Crop Disaster Areas due to Drought January 16, 2014
• Crop Disaster Declared in 40 Counties due to Drought January 16, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in 6 States January 10, 2014

Related Links

• Drought 2013
• Agricultural Disasters Index

U.S. Drought Map – September 17, 2013

US Drought Conditions

About 64.09 percent of the land in the contiguous Unites States were covered by drought conditions D0 (Abnormally Dry) to D4 (Exceptional Drought) week ending September 17, 2013, up from 63.75 percent the previous week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought conditions D1 – D4 improved marginally to 48.19 percent, down from 50.69 percent earlier.

Weather Summary [mirrored from U.S. Drought Monitor]:

The combination of ample Gulf and Pacific tropical moisture (in part from Tropical Storms Manuel (Pacific) and Ingrid (Gulf) which inundated Mexico), stalled frontal systems, and upsloping conditions produced widespread heavy to copious rainfall (widespread 2 to 6 inches, locally 12 to 18 inches especially near Boulder, CO) and severe flash flooding in parts of New Mexico and Colorado.

Moderate to heavy rains (1.5 to 4 inches) also drenched portions of Arizona, eastern Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, south-central Montana, western sections of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern and southern Texas. September monsoonal rains have generated welcome relief from the drought in the Southwest, central Rockies, and High Plains, but unfortunately have been accompanied by flash flooding.

US Drought Disaster Areas

As of September 18, 2013, at least 1,345 counties and parishes, or 42.8% of all the U.S. counties and county equivalents, across 29 states have been designated as agricultural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought.

US Drought Disaster Map. At least 1,345 counties and parishes, or 42.8% of all the U.S. counties and county equivalents, across 29 states have been designated as agricultural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought since January 1, 2013. Image source: USDA

Related Links

• Agricultural Disaster Declared for 194 Counties in 13 States September 20, 2013
• Agricultural Disaster Declared for 138 counties in 14 States
• Drought 2013
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – Sept. 6, 2013

Drought 2013: Agricultural Disaster Declared in 1,336 Counties Across the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated a total of 1,336 counties across 29 states as agricultural disaster areas, so far this year.

The designations include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

Map of the U.S. Drought Disaster areas as of September 4, 2013. At least 1,336 counties, or 42.5% of all U.S. counties¹, were designated as agricultural disaster areas² due to the ongoing drought. [The figure includes both primary and contiguous disaster designations.] Source: USDA. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH.

1. [U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.]
2. Agriculture officials declare disaster when crop damage has exceeded 30 percent.

Related Links

• Agricultural Disasters Declared for 180 U.S. Counties August 29, 2013
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]
• Agricultural Disasters Index

-oOo-

The Disaster President Signs Arkansas Disaster Declaration

The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Arkansas due to severe storms and flooding during the period of August 8-14, 2013.

Most of the losses and damage caused by the severe storms and flooding occurred in the counties of Benton, Boone, Carroll, Madison, Marion and Newton.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments, FEMA has said.

-oOo-

S. Korea bans seafood from eastern Japan

The South Korean government has banned imports of seafood products from 8 prefectures in eastern Japan due to the threat of radioactive contamination from toxic water leaks at Fukushima nuclear plant.

The ban, announced on Friday, will take effect on Monday, September 9, 2013, and will apply to ALL seafood imports from fisheries in 8 prefectures: Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, Aomori, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma.

“The measures are due to the sharply increased concern in the public about the flow of hundreds of metric tons of contaminated water into the ocean at the site of the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan,” a spokesman for the South Korean Prime Minister’s office said.

“The officials also say the country will ask for test certificates if even a trace of radioactivity is found in fish, dairy products and other foods from anywhere in Japan,” said a report.

China banned imports of seafood products, dairy and vegetable from at least 5 Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima, immediately after the triple meltdown at Fukushima nuclear plant on March 11, 2011.

-oOo-

U.S. Drought Expands Mainly in the South, High Plains

62.34 pct of contiguous US experiencing drought or abnormally dry conditions

Drought and abnormally dry conditions covered about 62.34 percent of contiguous United States, up from 59.98 percent a week earlier.

The percentage of land areas in the lower 48 covered by “Extreme” and “Exceptional Drought” levels remained nearly unchanged, while the total areas covered by “Severe” and “Moderate Drought” levels  increased by about 4.43 percent.

Meantime, USDA designated 39 additional counties in 5 states as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the recent drought.

• Texas: Cherokee, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt, Wood, Anderson, Gregg, Houston, Panola, Angelina, Harrison, Hunt, Rains, Camp, Henderson, Kaufman, Shelby, Franklin, Hopkins, Nacogdoches and Upshur counties.

• Colorado: Eagle, Garfield, Lake, Routt, Grand, Pitkin and Summit counties.

• Oregon: Curry, Coos, Douglas and Josephine counties.

• California: Del Norte County.

• Idaho: Jerome, Cassia, Gooding, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties.

All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas Aug. 28, 2013. The lists include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

Map of the U.S. Drought Disaster areas as of August 28, 2013. At least 1,336 counties, or 42.5% of all U.S. counties¹, were designated as agricultural disaster areas² due to the ongoing drought. [The figure includes both primary and contiguous disaster designations.] Source: USDA. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH.

1. [U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.]
2. Agriculture officials declare disaster when crop damage has exceeded 30 percent.

UPDATED: September 6, 2013 – MAP CORRECTED!

Related Links

• Agricultural Disasters Declared for 180 U.S. Counties August 29, 2013
• U.S. Drought Expands  August 22, 2013
• U.S. Drought Map – August 13, 2013
• Drought Disaster Declared in 37 Counties Across 5 States August 15, 2013
• Agricultural Disaster Declared for Dozens of U.S. Counties August 8, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]
• Agricultural Disasters Index

U.S. Drought Expands

Abnormally Dry to Severe Drought levels expand; Extreme to Exceptional Drought levels retreat

 Abnormally Dry to Severe Drought levels spread in the contiguous United States, while areas covered by  Extreme to Exceptional Drought levels retreat.

US Drought Map as of August 20, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on  Thursday August 22, 2013.

Agricultural Disaster Designations due to the Drought

At least 1,333 counties across 28 states have now been designated agricultural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought so far this year. [The figure includes both the primary and contiguous drought disaster areas. ]

U.S. Drought Disaster Map as of August 21, 2013. At least 1,333 counties, or 42.41% of all U.S. counties*, were designated as agricultural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought, a rise of 0.41% (16 counties) since last week. [The figure includes both primary and contiguous disaster designations.] Source: USDA. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH.

*[U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.]

Related Links

• U.S. Drought Map – August 13, 2013
• Drought Disaster Declared in 37 Counties Across 5 States August 15, 2013
• Agricultural Disaster Declared for Dozens of U.S. Counties August 8, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]
• Agricultural Disasters Index

1,333 U.S. Counties Now Designated Drought Disaster Areas

16 Additional Counties Designated as Agricultural Disaster Areas

At least 1,333 counties across 28 states have now been designated agricultural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought so far this year. [The figure includes both the primary and contiguous drought disaster areas. ]
U.S. Drought Disaster Map as of August 21, 2013. At least 1,333 counties, or 42.41% of all U.S. counties*, were designated as agricultural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought, a rise of 0.41% (16 counties) since last week. [The figure includes both primary and contiguous disaster designations.] Source: USDA. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH.

*[U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.]

Related Links

• U.S. Drought Map – August 13, 2013
• Drought Disaster Declared in 37 Counties Across 5 States August 15, 2013
• Agricultural Disaster Declared for Dozens of U.S. Counties August 8, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]
• Agricultural Disasters Index

U.S. Drought Map – August 13, 2013

U.S. drought down fractionally, but more counties designated drought disaster areas

• As of August 13, 2013 about 57.30 percent of contiguous United States were affected by drought conditions, down slightly from 57.40 percent a week earlier.

• Some  45.26 percent of the land areas were covered by Moderate Drought (D1) to Exceptional Drought (D4), down from 45.49 percent.

US Drought Map as of August 13, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on  August 15, 2013.

Map of U.S. Drought Disaster Areas

As of August 14, 2013 at least 1,317 U.S. counties were designated as primary or contiguous agricultural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought.

U.S. Drought Disaster Map as of August 14, 2013.  At least 1,317 counties, or 42% of all counties*, were designated as drought disaster areas. [The figure includes both primary and contiguous disaster designations.] Source: USDA. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH.

*[U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.]

Related Links

• Drought Disaster Declared in 37 Counties Across 5 States August 15, 2013
• Agricultural Disaster Declared for Dozens of U.S. Counties August 8, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]
• Agricultural Disasters Index

U.S. Drought Expands Slightly

Extreme Drought, Abnormally Dry Levels in Lower 48 Expand Marginally

Areas covered by various drought levels in contiguous United States expanded marginally in the week ending August 6, 2013. D0 – D4 Drought levels covered 57.40 percent of the lower 48, up from 57.23 percent previous period.

The region worst affected by the drought was the South, where Exceptional Drought expanded to 3.75 percent, up from 3.04 percent earlier. The region’s D0 – D4 drought levels also expanded to 74.44 percent, up from 73.81 percent a week earlier.

US Drought Map as of August 6, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on  August 8, 2013.

Related Links

• Agricultural Disaster Declared for Dozens of U.S. Counties August 8, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]

Drought Worsens in the U.S. West

Drought intensifies in Nevada, Oregon, Utah and the Dakotas

Drought intensified in the U.S. West over the past week.

D0-D4 drought levels generally persisted in California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii, but eased slightly in Texas and New Mexico.

Drought conditions improved more significantly in Oklahoma, covering 52.77 percent of the state, down from 75.08 percent previously. In Arkansas, D0 – D2 drought areas were 71.01 percent, down from 90.94 percent last period. Kansas down to 87.80 percent, compared with 100 percent a week ago.

As of July 30, 2013, drought levels in the lower 48 improved slightly covering 57.23 percent of contiguous U.S., down from 58.30 percent previously.

Dry conditions in Iowa covered 70.18 percent of the land, up from 62.92 percent earlier.

As of July 31, 2013 some 1,295 U.S. counties across 28 states were designated as drought disaster areas by USDA. [The figure includes both primary and contiguous disaster designations.]

Related Links

• Disaster Declared for 98 Counties in 9 States August 1, 2013
• 2013 U.S. Drought Disaster Map August 1, 2013
• U.S. Drought Expands for 6th Consecutive Week July 26, 2013
• Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]

U.S. Drought Expands for 6th Consecutive Week

Drought and dry conditions expand in the U.S. South, West, Midwest and High Plains

The areas in contiguous U.S.  that are covered by ‘Abnormally Dry’ thru ‘Exceptional Drought’ (D0 – D4 on the Drought Monitor scale) have expanded to 58.30 percent for the week ending July 23, 2013, up from 54.39 percent a week earlier.

Abnormally dry areas in the U.S. Midwest, including the top crop state of Iowa, reached 18.94 percent, up from 7.16 percent.

Iowa has experienced a triple fold increase in the areas covered by abnormally dry condition, reaching 62.9 percent, compared to 19.8 percent earlier.

Dry conditions have also expanded in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota and Missouri.

Five additional Montana counties have been designated as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the expanding drought.

US Drought Map as of July 23, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on  July 25, 2013.

About 64 percent of the topsoil in Arkansas was rated short or very short of moisture, with 24 percent of the state’s pasture and rangeland in poor or very poor condition.

California had 95 percent of its pasture and rangeland in poor or very poor condition. Colorado 64 percent, Kansas 55 percent, Texas 44 percent and Arizona had 79 percent so rated, according to July 22 U.S. Department of Agriculture crop progress report.

“Missouri had 60 percent of the topsoil short or very short of moisture, and Iowa had 57 percent so rated, which was a jump of 22 percent since last week.”

Related Links

• Drought Disaster Declared for Montana Counties July 25, 2013
• U.S. Drought Expands for 5th Straight Week July 18, 2013

• U.S. Drought Expands for 4th Week July 11, 2013
• Agricultural Disaster Declared in 3 States July 18, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]

U.S. Drought Expands for 5th Straight Week

Drought persists in West, High Plains

“Moderate” to “Exceptional” drought areas (designated D1 to D4 on the chart) in lower 48 expanded to 46.13 percent, up from 44.85 percent a week ago, according to the US Drought Monitor.

• D1 to D4 drought areas in the South covered about 60.32 percent of the region, up from 54.97 percent a week ago.

• “Moderate” to “Exceptional” drought areas in the West covered about 76.84, up from 76.41 percent.
• High Plains saw the drought expanding this week to 67.00 percent, up from 66.22 percent.
• D0 to D1 drought levels in Midwest increased to 7.16 percent, up from 2.68 percent.

US Drought Map as of July 16, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on  July 18, 2013.

Related Links

• U.S. Drought Expands for 4th Week July 11, 2013
• Agricultural Disaster Declared in 3 States July 18, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]

U.S. Drought Expands for 4th Week

South driest in weeks, as drought persists in West

“Moderate” to “Exceptional” drought areas (designated D1 to D4 on the chart) in lower 48 expanded to 44.85 percent, up from 44.06 percent a week ago, according to the US Drought Monitor.

D1 to D4 drought areas in the South covered about 54.97 percent of the region, up from 49.62 percent a week ago.

US Drought Map as of July 9, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on  July 11, 2013.

Selected Highlight of National Drought Summary – July 9, 2013

The Central and Southern Plains, and Lower Mississippi River Valley:  Dry conditions persisted across most of the southern Great Plains and Lower Mississippi River Valley. 

D0 was expanded to cover much of Arkansas and northwestern Louisiana … In a reassessment of conditions over Arkansas, a 2-category degradation (introduction of D1, moderate drought, where no drought was indicated in the previous map) was included as SPI-3, SPI6, and USGS (United States Geological Survey) real-time, 7-, and 14-day stream flows all indicated a rapid drying of the area. 

• Much of the same conditions were present across Oklahoma and Texas, so drought conditions intensified over those two states. 

• D2 (severe drought), D1 (moderate drought) and D0 (abnormal dryness) were expanded across much of eastern Texas. 

• Brazosport Water Authority implemented Stage 3 of its Drought Contingency Plan.   

• Inflows into the Lower Colorado River have trickled down to 10 cfs (from the Llano River) with Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan at 35 and 37 percent of capacity, respectively.  

• Medina Lake, near San Antonio is down to 5 percent capacity.  

• … across Oklahoma and southeastern Colorado, reports indicate sage brush and large trees dying and even some cacti turning brown. These reports come from the areas that have been in D4 (exceptional drought) for quite some time. 

• The percent of topsoil reports as short or very short from the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) across Texas increased by 13 percentage point, while it increased by 25 percentage points across Oklahoma.

Southwest and West: Some monsoon moisture streamed northward over the Southwest, making it as far north as the Great Salt Lake, bringing isolated rains to Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.  The heaviest rains (1.0 – 2.6 inches) were confined to southeastern Arizona and the highest of terrain in central New Mexico, therefore the rains had little impact on the drought in New Mexico.  US Drought Monitor

Related Links

• U.S. Drought Map – June 20 Release
• Drought Disaster Declared for 72 Counties in 9 States  May 31, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]

U.S. Drought Expands for 3rd Consecutive Week

Drought conditions in U.S. expand again amid relentless heat and aridity in southern Plains

“Moderate” to “Exceptional” drought levels (D1 – D4 on the Drought Monitor scale) in the contiguous United States grew to 44.06 percent, up from 43.84 percent a week ago, the US Drought Monitor reported.

US South: D0 to D4 Drought levels increased to 60.20 percent, from 55.68 a week ago.

US Drought Map as of July 2, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on  July 3, 2013.

Drought Monitor Forecast:

Some rains associated with the southwest monsoon are also likely during the next 5 days.  Generally, less than 1.0 inches of rain is forecast across the Great Plains and Pacific Northwest.

Related Links

• U.S. Drought Map – June 20 Release
• Drought Disaster Declared for 72 Counties in 9 States  May 31, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]

U.S. Drought Map – June 27 Release

Severe and Extreme Drought Levels Spread in the West and South

‘Severe’ and ‘Extreme’ and Exceptional Drought’ levels—D2, D3 and D4 on the U.S. Drought Monitor Scale—increase in western United States from 51.90 to 56.71% since last week , while the South experienced a rise of about 1.7% in Severe and Extreme drought levels in the same period.

US Drought Map as of June 25, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on June 27, 2013.

Related Links

• U.S. Drought Map – June 20 Release
• Drought Disaster Declared for 72 Counties in 9 States  May 31, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]

U.S. Drought Map – June 20 Release

Drought Intensifies in Western U.S.

US Drought Map as of June 18, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on June 20, 2013.

Related Links

• Drought Disaster Declared for 72 Counties in 9 States  May 31, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]

Drought Disaster Declared in 56 Counties

Drought Disaster Extends to Georgia and Florida Counties

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 51 counties in Georgia and 5 counties in Florida as drought disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought. The designations include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

U.S. Drought Disaster Map as of February 13, 2013. Source: USDA

Map of primary and contiguous designations for 2012 crop losses, as of February 13, 2013

Disaster Designation Information (USDA Web)

• Disaster Map Crop Year 2013, (PDF, 517 KB) February 13, 2013 | Text-Only (accessible) Version (1KB)
• Disaster Map Crop Year 2012, (PDF, 514 KB) February 13, 2013 | Text-Only (accessible) Version (1KB)
• Download Disaster Designations Map Drought Specific for 2012, (PDF, 505 KB) February 13, 2013 | Text-Only (accessible) Version (1KB)
• Download Disaster Designations Map Drought Specific for 2013, (PDF, 518 KB) February 13, 2013 | Text-Only (accessible) Version (1KB)

List of drought designated areas  Primary and Contiguous Counties in PDF File Format:

• Listing of Disaster Designated Counties 2013, (PDF, 1.0 MB) February 13, 2013
• Listing of Disaster Designated Counties 2012, (PDF, 566 KB) February 13, 2013
• Listing of Disaster Designated Counties, Drought Specific, (PDF, 145 KB) February 13, 2013.
• Listing of Disaster Designated Counties, Drought Specific for 2013, (PDF, 1.1 MB) February 13, 2013.

U.S. Drought Map

In the week to February 12, the area covered by drought levels D1 to D4 receded by about 1 percent.

Drought Map for Contiguous U.S. dated February 12, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on February 14.

FIRE-EARTH Drought Links 2013

• US: Drought Disaster 2013

.

February 14, 2013 – DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,122 Days Left 

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,122 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human  History
• The countdown began on May 15, 2011 …

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

US Drought Disaster Expands

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,136 Days Left 

[January 31, 2013] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,136 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
• Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 …

.

Global Disasters/ Significant Events

61 Additional Counties in 7 States Declared Drought  Disaster Areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared 61 additional counties across 7 states as primary or contiguous disaster areas due to drought.

• The latest disaster areas are in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, the Carolinas and Texas.
• The drought in Oklahoma has caused more than $2 billion in damage in the past two years, said a report.

An  Incomplete Map of U.S. Drought Disaster Areas. 

Drought Links 2013

• US: Drought Disaster 2013

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

US: Drought Disaster, Landslide Emergency, Deadly Freeze

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,143 Days Left 

[January 24, 2013] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,143 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
• Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 …

.

Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Drought disaster grows, deadly freeze grips Midwest and Northeast, NC declares state of emergency after landslide

At least 62 additional counties across 6 states—Georgia, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas—have been declared drought disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought. The latest designations cover both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

• As of January 23, 2013 some 917 counties (650 primary and 267 contiguous) across 2 dozen states have been designated as drought disaster areas, USDA reported.

Drought Map for Contiguous U.S. as of January 22, 2013, released by US Drought Monitor on January 24.

The states of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma remain in severe drought or worse, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported.

The worst levels of drought continued to grow in Kansas which produces about a fifth of the total U.S. wheat.

• The extreme drought in Kansas grew to 79.53 percent, up from 79.34 percent, and exceptional drought spread to 36.14 percent of the state from 34.87 percent.

A Partial Map of the 2013 U.S. Drought Disaster Areas. Source: USDA

Northern United States

Meantime, a deadly Arctic blast that gripped the U.S. Midwest and Northeast on Tuesday brought “life-threatening temperatures in Minnesota and northern Wisconsin.”

• Icy winds made some areas feel as cold as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit (-46ºC).

• Up to 50cm of snow fell in NE Ohio, NW Pennsylvania and upstate New York, media reported.

• Hypothermia and icy conditions have claimed at least half dozen lives in Ohio, Minnesota and Illinois.

• The deep freeze is expected to last for several days.

NC declares a state of emergency after landslide

North Carolina Gov. McCrory has declared a state of emergency for mountain counties affected by a major landslide triggered by extreme rain events earlier this month.

• A major landslide destroyed a 70-meter section of US 441 on January 15.

• The emergency declaration covers Graham, Jackson and Swain counties and areas within the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee, media reported.

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

Drought Disaster Declared in 4 States, Health Emergency in NY

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,154 Days Left 

[January 13, 2013] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,154 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
• Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 ...

.

Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Drought disaster declared for dozens of counties across MN, MT, ND and SD, flue emergency in NY

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared as drought disaster areas dozens of counties across Minnesota, Montana North and South Dakotas. The designations follow damages and losses caused by the recent drought.

• U.S. Drought 2013 Posted on January 11, 2013

Health emergency declared in NY state amid flu epidemic

New York State has declared a public health emergency, as a severe influenza outbreak tightened its grip across the country.

• About  20,000 cases of flu have been reported statewide so far this season, a rise of nearly 4 folds on the last season (4,400 confirmed cases in 2012).

• “We are experiencing the worst flu season since at least 2009, and influenza activity in New York State is widespread, with cases reported in all 57 counties and all five boroughs of New York City,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement. “Therefore, I have directed my Administration, the State Health Department and others to marshal all needed resources to address this public health emergency and remove all barriers to ensure that all New Yorkers – children and adults alike – have access to critically needed flu vaccines Gov. Cuomo said .

• Public health officials in NY announced last week that flu-related illnesses had reached epidemic levels, killing at least 20 children nationwide.

• Forty-seven states reported widespread geographic influenza activity for the week between December 30, 2012 and January 5, 2013.

• CDC estimates that from the 1976-1977 flu season to the 2006-2007 season, flu-associated deaths each season ranged from a low of about 3,000 people to a high of about 49,000 people.

• Twenty-four states and New York City are now reporting high ILI activity. Additionally, 16 are reporting moderate levels of ILI activity. States reporting high ILI activity for the week ending January 5, 2013 include Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia, CDC said.

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

U.S. Drought 2013

U.S. Drought Map for January 8, 2013

FEWW DROUGHT FORECAST: REMOVED BY A MODERATOR.

As of January 8, 2013 drought covered more than 60 percent of the contiguous U.S. and rendered a further 11.5 percent as ‘Abnormally Dry,’ according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

• ‘Severe’ to ‘Exceptional’ drought levels plagued more than 86 percent of High Plains including
  • 100 percent of Nebraska
  • 100 percent of Kansas
  • Nearly 97 percent of South Dakota
  • More than 86 percent of Wyoming
  • Over 95 percent of Colorado
• More than half of southern United States including the entire state of Oklahoma and about two-thirds of Texas were also experiencing ‘Severe’ to ‘Exceptional’ drought conditions.
• At least 44 percent of the West, a third of the Midwest and a fifth of the Southeast also reported similar drought conditions.

U.S. Drought Map for 8 January 2013, released by U.S. Drought Monitor on January 10, 2013.

• Disaster Declared in Much of U.S. Wheat Belt  January 10, 2013
• The Land of Rising Heat  January 9, 2013
• Hottest Hell on Earth  January 8, 2013
• U.S. Drought: Little Change Despite Snowstorms January 3, 2013

Recent Drought Links

• U.S. Drought Persists Despite Snow December 21, 2012
• Drought Continues to Expand through U.S. Farming Region December 14, 2012
• Drought Continues to Expand through Central U.S. December 7, 2012

• US: Dozens of Additional Counties Designated Disaster Areas December 4, 2012
• U.S. Drought: 54 Additional Counties Declared Drought Disaster Areas Posted  November 2, 2012
• U.S. Counties Declared Disaster Areas October 25, 2012
• U.S. drought retreats fractionally, expected to persist through winter October 19, 2012
• U.S. Crop Disaster Losses Spreads to 2,673 Counties October 18, 2012
  
• Drought Disaster Spreads to 2,423 U.S. Counties October 12, 2012
• U.S. Drought: Little Change! October 4, 2012

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

U.S. Drought: Little Change Despite Snowstorms

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,164 Days Left 

[January 3, 2013] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,164 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
• Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 ...

.

Global Disasters/ Significant Events

About 73 percent of U.S. ‘Abnormally Dry’ or worse

More than 61 percent of the U.S. remained in ‘Moderate’ or worse drought conditions (D1 to D4 on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale), as of January 1, 2013.

U.S. Drought Map for January 1, 2013.  Released January 3, 2013 by U.S. Drought Monitor

Recent Drought Links

• U.S. Drought Persists Despite Snow December 21, 2012
• Drought Continues to Expand through U.S. Farming Region December 14, 2012
• Drought Continues to Expand through Central U.S. December 7, 2012

• US: Dozens of Additional Counties Designated Disaster Areas December 4, 2012
• U.S. Drought: 54 Additional Counties Declared Drought Disaster Areas Posted  November 2, 2012
• U.S. Counties Declared Disaster Areas October 25, 2012
• U.S. drought retreats fractionally, expected to persist through winter October 19, 2012
• U.S. Crop Disaster Losses Spreads to 2,673 Counties October 18, 2012
  
• Drought Disaster Spreads to 2,423 U.S. Counties October 12, 2012
• U.S. Drought: Little Change! October 4, 2012

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

U.S. Drought Spreads

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,170 Days Left 

[December 28, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,170 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
• Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 ...

.

Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Drought spreads fractionally across the U.S.

Abnormally Dry or worse drought conditions (D0 to D4 levels on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale) spread to 73.84 of continental U.S. as of December 25 fractionally higher than the previous week (73.79%), while moderate to severe drought (D1 to D4) expanded to 61.82 percent of the country.

U.S. Drought Map for December 25, 2012. Released December 27 by U.S. Drought Monitor

Additional Counties Designated as Drought Disaster Areas

• California.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 30 counties in California as disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by drought that began Jan. 1, 2012, and continues. The designation includes 6 counties as primary disaster areas and 24 others as secondary disaster areas.

• Texas.  USDA has also designated 12 counties in Texas as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought. The designation include 2 counties as primary and 10 others as secondary disaster areas.

Recent Drought Links

• U.S. Drought Persists Despite Snow December 21, 2012
• Drought Continues to Expand through U.S. Farming Region December 14, 2012
• Drought Continues to Expand through Central U.S. December 7, 2012

• US: Dozens of Additional Counties Designated Disaster Areas December 4, 2012
• U.S. Drought: 54 Additional Counties Declared Drought Disaster Areas Posted  November 2, 2012
• U.S. Counties Declared Disaster Areas October 25, 2012
• U.S. drought retreats fractionally, expected to persist through winter October 19, 2012
• U.S. Crop Disaster Losses Spreads to 2,673 Counties October 18, 2012
  
• Drought Disaster Spreads to 2,423 U.S. Counties October 12, 2012
• U.S. Drought: Little Change! October 4, 2012

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

U.S. Drought Persists Despite Snow

Nearly 74% of the U.S. remains abnormally dry or worse, despite  snowstorms 

“The snow is good, but in most instances it was less than one inch of liquid and if the soils are frozen, there will be little infiltration,” said a climatologist with the National Drought Mitigation Center.

• High Plains:  Severe drought covered 86.20% of the High Plains as of December 18, 2012, up from 86.12% percent the previous week , While extreme drought spread to 59.98% of the region, up from 58.39% and exceptional drought area increased to 26.99%, up from 26.91%.

• Contiguous United States:  About 61.79% of Continental U.S. was in moderate to exceptional drought (D1 to D4 on the Drought Monitor Scale), a marginal improvement from 61.87% on December 11.

U.S. Drought Map for December 18, 2012. Released December 20 by U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought Links

• Drought Continues to Expand through Central U.S. December 7, 2012

• US: Dozens of Additional Counties Designated Disaster Areas December 4, 2012
• U.S. Drought: 54 Additional Counties Declared Drought Disaster Areas Posted  November 2, 2012
• U.S. Counties Declared Disaster Areas October 25, 2012
• U.S. drought retreats fractionally, expected to persist through winter October 19, 2012
• U.S. Crop Disaster Losses Spreads to 2,673 Counties October 18, 2012
  
• Drought Disaster Spreads to 2,423 U.S. Counties October 12, 2012
• U.S. Drought: Little Change! October 4, 2012

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Drought Continues to Expand through U.S. Farming Region

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,184 Days Left 

[December 14, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,184 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
• Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 ...

.

Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Drought affecting about two-thirds of U.S. new winter wheat crop

As of December 11, 2012 ‘severe’ to ‘exceptional’ drought levels (D3 – D5 on the U.S. Drought Monitor Scale ) pervaded through 42.59% of continental United States, up from 42.22% a week earlier.

• Some 61.87 percent of the contiguous United States was in at least ‘Moderate’ drought, down from 62.37 percent the previous week.

U.S. Drought Map for December 11, 2012. Release December 13 by U.S. Drought Monitor

Map of the U.S. Counties Designated as Drought Disaster Areas

As of December 12, 2012, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) had designated as drought disaster areas  a total of 2,735 counties throughout  the country. The designations included 2,300 counties declared primary disaster areas and 435 additional counties as contiguous disaster areas.

U.S. Drought Disaster Map for December 12, 2012.

Drought Links

• Drought Continues to Expand through Central U.S. December 7, 2012

• US: Dozens of Additional Counties Designated Disaster Areas December 4, 2012
• U.S. Drought: 54 Additional Counties Declared Drought Disaster Areas Posted  November 2, 2012
• U.S. Counties Declared Disaster Areas October 25, 2012
• U.S. drought retreats fractionally, expected to persist through winter October 19, 2012
• U.S. Crop Disaster Losses Spreads to 2,673 Counties October 18, 2012
  
• Drought Disaster Spreads to 2,423 U.S. Counties October 12, 2012
• U.S. Drought: Little Change! October 4, 2012

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun