Drought

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.

Kendall, Medina, Comal, and Blanco counties will be under Stage 4 water restrictions starting July 16. Bexar County and San Antonio are under Stage 3 water restrictions. Water levels in Kendall County aquifers are 22 feet below the June historical average, while several important streams in the area range from 5-15% of historical streamflow. MySA (San Antonio, TX), 7/15/24.

Virginia has experienced extreme heat and low rainfall this year, and trees are beginning to die due to lack of water. A District Forester emphasizes the importance of taking care of younger trees that cannot withstand the heat, but mature trees are also at risk. Urban trees and forests alike are in need of rain. WHSV3 (Harrisonburg, VA), 7/12/24.

All of North Carolina is either in a drought or under "abnormally dry" conditions for the first time in 15 years. Nearly 90% of the state is considered under moderate, severe, or extreme drought. Crop losses in the state are widespread. For instance, 40% of the state's corn crop is in "very poor" condition. It may be too late to undo the damage to many crops. Drought conditions have deteriorated unusually rapidly. A farmer told WECT that it will take years to recover from the financial effects of the current drought, and that he has never seen conditions like this. Axios Raleigh (Raleigh, NC), 7/11/24.

With below-average rain and scorching temperatures, the ongoing drought continues to affect many farmers in Western North Carolina. Don Justus, a farmer and the owner of Justus Orchard in Hendersonville, says that he is concerned about the orchard's crops as the drought worsens. We are concerned about it at this time of the season," he said. "With us having about 75 acres of apple orchard here, sadly we're at the mercy of Mother Nature. We do not have any type of irrigation. Justus' family has grown and raised apples for four generations. "We have one of the best apple crops that we've had in several years. They are continuing to grow because we had so much rain in the early season," he said. Justus says that he has been working to address the drought as it persists. As the orchard closely watches for the forecast, Justus says that they are hoping for more precipitation. "Hopefully, we will continue to have a little bit more rain this weekend," he added. Justus says that they have a plan in place. "We are starting to conserve water. We've been doing a pretty good bit of that in the past, but we are being more self-conscious about it now," he said. "We will probably be reaching out to some of our fellow farmers about borrowing or renting overhead irrigation to put some water onto the apples. I'm hoping to get some rain this weekend." ABC13 News (Asheville, NC), 7/11/24.

Lewis and Upshur counties, West Virginia, are drier than the rest of the North Central West Virginia region. Moderate drought, as classified by the United States Drought Monitor, has affected agriculture and fire departments. In many areas of Lewis County, one hay cutting has been done, but regrowth is poor due to lack of moisture and may compromise the second cutting. Cattle farmers are also having to haul in water as their ponds and springs are not providing enough water. Firefighters in rural areas have fewer water sources, making portable pumps are harder to use. The fire chief of the Buckhannon Fire Department recommended that people not burn materials outdoors given the present dryness. The Exponent Telegram (Clarksburg, WV), 7/12/24.

Drought in the Myrtle Beach area - classified as "extreme" in parts of Horry County - has been detrimental to local golf courses. Course managers are rationing water in the midst of brown, burned out grass conditions on the courses. The Arcadian Shores Golf Club cut their green fees due to the unfavorable grass conditions. The area received a substantial amount of rain last week on Thursday and Friday, but it was not enough to completely resolve the drought issues. As of Tuesday, coastal areas of Horry County were in moderate drought, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center. Inland areas of the county were considered to be in severe or extreme drought. Georgetown County had areas considered to be abnormally dry or in moderate drought. My Horry News (Myrtle Beach, SC), 7/13/24.

From drought to flooding to extreme heat Missouri summers are not easy for farmers. This time last summer, Missouri was in the midst of its seventh driest growing season, according to Missouri Soybeans. Now, less than 5% of the state is in any level of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. But as the drought subsided, flooding was seen across Missouri this summer. So far this year, Missouri is getting the most rain it’s seen since 2019, according to the University of Missouri Climate Center. This week, extreme heat is hitting Missouri. Missouri State Emergency Management warns of extreme temperatures up to 110 degrees. Extreme weather during Missouri’s growing season makes it difficult for farmers. “We have extreme weather, we can’t stop it, but we have to become more resilient,” said farmer Matthew Van Schyndel. Whatever the weather, Van Schyndel works on his family-owned farm Hedge Holler Harvest in Mexico, Missouri. The family raises cattle, goats and chickens, and sells the meat, eggs and other products locally. Van Schyndler said the fluctuating weather has led to changes in his production costs. “Last year obviously with the drought feed prices were extremely high,” Van Schyndel said. “And so, we had to adjust. Well, this year it’s processing.” In order to combat the changing weather and become more resilient, Van Schyndel said he is adding more organic matter to his soil and adjusting his animals’ grazing patterns. Agriculture is one of Missouri’s biggest economic contributors. A 2021 economic study from the Missouri Department of Agriculture shows the industry contributed over $93 billion to the state’s economy and is responsible for over 450,000 jobs. University of Missouri agriculture professor Rob Myers said going from near-record drought to near-record rainfalls in under a year is a bigger change than usual, and extremes like these may become more common. “Our climatologists would tell us that any single weather event is difficult to pin on climate change, but what we can say is there’s a pattern of more intensity to storms and more frequent dry periods,” Myers said. KFVS (Cape Girardeau, MO), 7/15/24.

Several areas in the Columbia and Yakima river basins are unusually dry. Yakima Basin irrigators are receiving around 51% of their normal allotment this year. Columbia Basin Herald (Moses Lake, WA). July 15, 2024.

The Great Lakes have experienced an increase in toxic blue-green algae, according the the Iowa Regents’ Lakeside Lab. Years of drought filled the lakes with with high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and contaminated sediment. Combined with warm conditions, these components encourage growth of blue-green algae. Radio Iowa (Des Moines, IA), 7/15/24.

With parts of the Midlands experiencing unprecedented drought conditions, the federal government is offering financial relief to some farmers. As of Thursday, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed extreme drought designations on eight counties, including three in the Midlands. This opens up Sumter, Lee and Clarendon counties – along with neighboring counties – to federal assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency. “These programs are put in place to help the farmer hopefully survive until the next season when they can get a successful crop, and still be able to continue farming,” said State Executive Director for the South Carolina Farm Service Agency Laurie Slade Funderburk. “Our mission is to keep farmer farming and to keep farmers on the farm,” Funderburk said. Their work, though unpredictable, is essential to the state and the nation, Funderburk said. Sweltering temperatures and lack of rainfall this summer has put a strain on the agribusiness industry. With drought status reaching a critical point, farmers can receive emergency loans and disaster assistance. Calhoun County farmer Joshua Johnson, who operates Old Tyme Bean Company, said drought conditions this year are the worst he has ever seen. “It’s going to severely damage our yield and our profitability,” he said in a Wednesday interview. The federal designation triggers a disaster declaration from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, which in turn means that the affected farmers will be eligible for federal programs. Any farmers in the impacted counties can apply for loans up to $500,000 with interest rates no higher than three percent. “These funds can be used to pay for operating and household expenses,” Funderburk said. “They can also be used to reimburse farmers for lost working capital.” There is also a separate program for livestock producers called the Livestock Forage Program, which covers grazing losses for covered livestock. If approved, this funding provides three payments to farmers. To be eligible, a producer must have owned the cows 60 days prior to the disaster, or June 9.Another option for farmers is the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). NAP covers crops that are not covered under typical insurance like fruits, vegetables and hay. However, farmers must have signed up for this program prior to planting. The Farm Service Agency said keeping agribusiness afloat is paramount in these tough times. “The economic success of our farmers greatly impacts their local community, as well as our state,” Funderburk said. “When we have a thriving agricultural economy, then the communities do well also. So the local stores will be affected because there wont be as much spending power in those local communities, and also we’ll see a reduction in the number of crops that are available, that are harvested.” The ramifications of a drought are potentially widespread, Funderburk said, and could potentially impact food prices. “All of the supply chain participants come into play here, as well as grocery stores and other places that sell the food that the farmers grow,” she said. The federal Drought Monitor report comes on the heels of a unprecedented report from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, where 15 counties saw a three-level increase from no drought to severe. “Our hearts certainly go out to our farmers and their families,” Funderburk said. “It’s a terribly difficult time when you have to struggle with the weather. Farming is one of the most riskiest professions there is.” To apply, farmers can call the Farm Service Agency or visit the state office closest to them. The agency said it stands to assist farmers and help them get to the next growing season. WIS10 (Columbia, SC), 7/15/24.

Flash drought in the DC area means that backup reservoirs may need to be used to supplement drinking water supply from the Potomac River, according to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. Drought emerged rapidly, while earlier in the year water supplies were plentiful. Releases were previously needed in 2010, 2002, and 1999. WTOP 9 (Washington, DC), July 12, 2024.

East Tennessee State University, which houses the state's official climate office, says that dry weather and heat in the region have become dangerous. Grass has browned and farmers risk financial impacts due to crop loss. Throughout Southern Appalachia, including much of Tennessee, hay fields, pastures, and grasses have been stressed by the dry conditions that emerged rapidly. At least one report has emerged of calves dying shortly after birth due to a fescue-related illness that is exacerbated, if not caused, by extreme heat and drought. This year's drought is unusually early for Tennessee, causing concern that yield losses will be substantial. The Greeneville Sun (Greeneville, TN), July 15, 2024.