Counties with the worst droughts in Alabama
Published 7:57 pm Thursday, June 27, 2024
Counties with the worst droughts in Alabama
About 16% of the continental United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Storms during this past winter brought heavy (in some areas, record-setting) rainfall and flooding to California, offering the state an expected two-year reprieve from widespread droughts that covered nearly 100% of the state from 2020 to 2022. But in other parts of the country, especially dry conditions continue. Virginia is currently the state with the most widespread drought, covering 91% of the state’s area.
In periods of drought, levels of major reservoirs and rivers can fall dramatically. Groundwater systems are also affected as shrinking water supplies impact agriculture and hydropower generation while increasing wildfire risk.
Periods of drought have intensified and become more frequent in recent years due to climate change. Scientists predict that even in low-emissions scenarios, much of the U.S. will be drier by the end of the century.
Stacker cited data from the U.S. Drought Monitor to identify the counties in Alabama with the worst droughts as of June 27, 2024. Counties are listed in order of percent of the area in drought conditions. “Abnormally dry” is not considered to be a drought but is included as a separate data point. Additional data for the state overall is also included. Any counties not experiencing drought are not included in the list. Counties are listed in order of drought severity.
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Emma Rubin // Stacker
Alabama statistics
– Abnormally dry: 63.2%
– Area in drought: 5.0% (#25 nationally)
— Moderate drought: 5.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Lamar County
– Abnormally dry: 98.7%
– Area in drought: 1.3%
— Moderate drought: 1.3%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
JNix // Shutterstock
Barbour County
– Abnormally dry: 98.7%
– Area in drought: 1.3%
— Moderate drought: 1.3%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
JNix // Shutterstock
Clay County
– Abnormally dry: 97.3%
– Area in drought: 2.7%
— Moderate drought: 2.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Houston County
– Abnormally dry: 92.0%
– Area in drought: 8.0%
— Moderate drought: 8.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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JNix // Shutterstock
Pickens County
– Abnormally dry: 67.6%
– Area in drought: 8.8%
— Moderate drought: 8.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Geneva County
– Abnormally dry: 87.0%
– Area in drought: 13.0%
— Moderate drought: 13.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Bibb County
– Abnormally dry: 67.0%
– Area in drought: 18.4%
— Moderate drought: 18.4%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Talladega County
– Abnormally dry: 72.2%
– Area in drought: 27.8%
— Moderate drought: 27.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Chilton County
– Abnormally dry: 71.0%
– Area in drought: 28.4%
— Moderate drought: 28.4%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Coffee County
– Abnormally dry: 68.0%
– Area in drought: 31.9%
— Moderate drought: 31.9%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
JNix // Shutterstock
Coosa County
– Abnormally dry: 52.1%
– Area in drought: 33.4%
— Moderate drought: 33.4%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
JNix // Shutterstock
Shelby County
– Abnormally dry: 38.8%
– Area in drought: 61.2%
— Moderate drought: 61.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Henry County
– Abnormally dry: 32.9%
– Area in drought: 67.1%
— Moderate drought: 67.1%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
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Dale County
– Abnormally dry: 7.3%
– Area in drought: 92.7%
— Moderate drought: 92.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 32 states.
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