Drought

Years of drought and fires have benefitted California's fig orchards, according to the California Fresh Fig Growers Association. The 2024 season is starting early and may be one of the best California has seen. PRNewswire (New York), July 18, 2024.

The town of Round Hill, Virginia, has voted to impose mandatory water use restrictions in response to extreme drought conditions. The restrictions will prohibit most outdoor water use. Loudoun Now (Virginia), July 18, 2024.

Drought-weakened trees are falling in the DC area. NBC Washington (District of Columbia), July 18, 2024.

Water restrictions were implemented in the town of Strasburg due to a drought emergency declared by the town. Daily News-Record (Virginia), July 18, 2024.

A farmer in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, states that he has lost at least $50,000 in production due to drought this year. He says that there is very little irrigation in the area so local farmers are dependent on rainfall. WJAC6 (Johnstown, Pennsylvania), July 16, 2024.

Over 30 percent of pasture across the Southeast is rated as poor or very poor by the latest USDA-NASS reports. In Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, over 40 percent of pasture is rated as poor or very poor. Poor or very poor pasture is found in Tennessee at 37 percent, Kentucky at 19 percent, Mississippi at 18 percent, Arkansas at 16 percent, Alabama at 14 percent, Florida at 4 percent, and Louisiana at 3 percent. Beef Magazine (Saint Charles, Illinois), July 17, 2024.

Stage 2 (moderate) water restrictions have been enacted in Boyd due to increased demand for water the past few weeks. Since June 1, the City of Boyd has purchased an additional five million gallons of water to supplement their normal supply. Restrictions apply to sprinklers and automatic irrigation systems. Wise County Messenger (Texas), July 17, 2024.

Water restrictions have been issued in the City of Statesville, North Carolina, in response to Stage D2 Severe Drought conditions, as determined by the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council. Restrictions apply to lawn watering, tree and bed irrigation, golf courses, athletic fields, vehicle washing, and washing of roads, sidewalks, and public buildings. Iredell Free News (Statesville, N.C.), July 16, 2024.

Some of the ears of corn in Columbus County were about the size of a man’s finger after the rain stopped in June, leaving the corn stalks to turn burnt gold. Some of the soybeans and peanuts have also “baked in the dirt” just like the corn. The pasture was not growing in the dry heat, so a farmer had to buy feed for his cattle. The farmers find the loss of the crops very painful and discouraging as well as a tremendous financial strain. “It’s all so personal,” a farmer said. “You take the time, you prepare the soil, you do all these things to try to protect it. Then something totally not under your control comes through and takes all that away.” Border Belt Independent (Elizabethtown, N.C.), July 12, 2024

Tennessee is facing its worst drought in years and the Beardsley Community Farm is feeling the impact. “It feels like things just get crispier and crispier every week,” farm manager Lia Bevins said. But the heat is now hurting their output by about 95%. “This week last year, we were harvesting around 1,000 pounds of tomatoes every week,” Bevins said. “But this year, at least this week, its been less than about 50 pounds.” The farm supplies produce to food pantries in the area and they have not been able to with the drought. “A lot of the numbers are lower than they would have been, and so each of those pantries are depending on that produce and it’s just not able to make it out to those communities in as high of numbers as it would have in the past,” she said. However, food is not the only thing taking a hit. Owner of St. John Lawn Care said that mowing is 60% of his revenue, and now the money is drying up. The grass is not growing, causing a dip in business. “Normally every week it needs to be cut but this time, you show up and it’s the exact same height as it was last Friday,” he said. But the company has plans to combat the issue. “We’re having to switch the kinds of services we’re offering,” St. John said. “Pulling out bushes, trimming bushes, pulling out weeds, mulch, its a great time of year to do that.” WVLT8 (Knoxville, TN), 7/12/24.

Wilkes is among 22 North Carolina counties categorized as being in “severe drought” in the U.S. Drought Monitor report issued July 9. Severe drought is the third worst of five levels of drought. Early this week, weather forecasts called for a period of more than a week with more than a 50% chance of rain each day to start on Thursday. Otherwise, the U.S. Drought Monitor recommends the following for a “severe drought:” • implement Water Shortage Response Plans, if not already enacted; • stay informed on drought conditions and advisories at ncdrought.org; • participate, as appropriate, in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources; reexamine water delivery systems to minimize water loss and maximize water use efficiency; • eliminate nonessential uses of water; • evaluate the feasibility of incorporating water reuse, reclamation and/or recycling into daily operations; • seek to reduce water usage by, at least, the same percentage as the percent differential between normal seasonal water supply availability and the actual water supply availability resulting from current drought conditions; • increase public awareness and educational outreach programs emphasizing the need to conserve water. Wilkes Journal Patriot (Wilkesboro, NC), 7/15/24.

The sunflowers at a farm in Ooltewah were shorter than they ought to be and will not grow any taller with rain. The flowers bloomed a week to ten days earlier than usual and may not produce as many seeds as usual due to the drought. There will be less food for the blackbirds, sparrows, crows, and sand hill cranes that enjoy the seeds during the winter. Local 3 News (Chattanooga, Tenn.), July 12, 2024

The Maryland Department of the Environment urged those on the Eastern Shore to voluntarily reduce their water usage because a drought watch has been issued. Maryland Department of the Environment (Baltimore), July 11, 2024

Some streams in West Virginia and in the Appalachian region overall were at record lows as July has been an unusually dry month. Plants were beginning to dry out with the leaves turning fall-like colors. West Virginia Public Broadcasting (Charleston), July 15, 2024

The ongoing drought detrimental to farmers, and it doesn’t just impact crops. A local goat farm is struggling with milk production. Sharon Kay and Bill Theiss own and operate Fawn Crossing Farms in Bridgewater, where they raise several animals, including goats. The farm partially relies on profits from goat milk sales. Because of the drought and heat, there is more stress on the goats’ bodies, making it more difficult for them to produce milk. “The biggest effect the drought has had on us is the loss of milk production.” said Theiss, “We have to decide which milk customers to cut back on, and that’s usually based on medical needs of the customer.” The drought has led Theiss to feed the goats hay more often, something he said usually happens in January. With hay in higher demand, it’s become more expensive.

The low level of the Waccamaw River has limited the activities that a river outfitter can offer. Guests might want to go tubing down the river, but there was not enough current or depth for tubing. Kayaking was still an option. WMBF-TV NBC Myrtle Beach (S.C.), July 10, 2024

A Knoxville lawn care business was providing different services, such as pulling out bushes, trimming bushes, and pulling out weeds while the grass was not growing, and lawns did not need to be mowed. Lawn mowing brings in about 60% of their revenue. WVLT (Knoxville, Tenn.), July 12, 2024

Dry conditions and heat in eastern Tennessee have cut production at a farm, leaving less to share with food pantries. WVLT (Knoxville, Tenn.), July 12, 2024

Moderate to severe drought conditions exist in the Potomac River Basin, according to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. One farmer notes that his Rhode Island Red chickens are feeling effects of the heat - they spend time in front of fans and their egg production is down by 30%. The farmer is growing table crops such as heirloom tomatoes in containers that promote water conservation. He is also concerned about a hay field that has turned yellow instead of green and a pond that has receded several feet during the drought. WTOP News (Washington, DC), 7/11/24.

The Little Pee Dee River (Davis Landing, Marion County, SC) has been affected by a severe drought and is now too shallow for swimming and boating. ABC4 News (Charleston, SC), 7/12/24.