CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – For the first time in history, parts of West Virginia are now considered to be in an exceptional drought, the highest drought category.
The state of West Virginia has been grappling with a persistent and severe drought that has had far-reaching impacts on the region.
Northern parts of the Northeast received half an inch or more of rain this week, while the rest of the region received little to no rain. Weekly temperatures averaged near normal in Maine to 5 to 8 degrees cooler than normal in West Virginia and Delaware.
The spot of abnormal dryness in New Hampshire shrank due to rains from the last two weeks, while abnormal dryness expanded in Delaware and eastern Maryland, and severe to extreme drought expanded in West Virginia, where exceptional drought (D4) was added — the first time D4 has appeared in West Virginia in the USDM’s history.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 100% of West Virginia’s topsoil and subsoil moisture was rated short or very short (dry or very dry), and 92% of the pastures and rangeland were in poor to very poor condition.
This is a record-high percentage of topsoil moisture short or very short in the 22-year record for West Virginia and a record-low statewide pasture and range condition index.
Reports have been received of widespread crop loss and water hauling for livestock and irrigation, pastures/meadows not regenerating low streamflow and dry soils.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has issued a State of Emergency.
