Counties with the worst droughts in Alabama

Nearly one-quarter 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. West Virginia is currently the state with the most widespread drought, covering 98.5% 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 August 20, 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.

You may also like: Best amusement parks in Alabama

Emma Rubin // Stacker

Alabama statistics

– Abnormally dry: 64.3%
– Area in drought: 14.2% (#20 nationally)
— Moderate drought: 13.2%
— Severe drought: 1.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Canva

Marshall County

– Abnormally dry: 22.5%
– Area in drought: 0.3%
— Moderate drought: 0.3%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Tracy Burroughs Brown // Shutterstock

Tuscaloosa County

– Abnormally dry: 91.4%
– Area in drought: 5.1%
— Moderate drought: 5.1%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Canva

Madison County

– Abnormally dry: 90.2%
– Area in drought: 7.7%
— Moderate drought: 7.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Canva

DeKalb County

– Abnormally dry: 29.0%
– Area in drought: 8.1%
— Moderate drought: 8.1%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

You may also like: Counties where the most opioids are dispensed in Alabama

Canva

Choctaw County

– Abnormally dry: 85.1%
– Area in drought: 14.9%
— Moderate drought: 14.9%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Canva

Cullman County

– Abnormally dry: 81.4%
– Area in drought: 18.6%
— Moderate drought: 18.6%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Canva

Morgan County

– Abnormally dry: 80.5%
– Area in drought: 19.5%
— Moderate drought: 19.5%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

JNix // Shutterstock

Pickens County

– Abnormally dry: 70.6%
– Area in drought: 29.4%
— Moderate drought: 29.4%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Curtis Lee Newton // Shutterstock

Franklin County

– Abnormally dry: 69.8%
– Area in drought: 30.2%
— Moderate drought: 30.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

You may also like: Strawberries, romaine lettuce, and other groceries that rose in price in the South last month

Canva

Limestone County

– Abnormally dry: 36.1%
– Area in drought: 63.9%
— Moderate drought: 63.9%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Jennifer Kinkead McNutt // Shutterstock

Marion County

– Abnormally dry: 33.8%
– Area in drought: 66.2%
— Moderate drought: 66.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Carl Banks Photography // Shutterstock

Jackson County

– Abnormally dry: 22.1%
– Area in drought: 77.2%
— Moderate drought: 77.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Canva

Walker County

– Abnormally dry: 19.3%
– Area in drought: 80.7%
— Moderate drought: 80.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Canva

Lamar County

– Abnormally dry: 7.1%
– Area in drought: 92.9%
— Moderate drought: 92.9%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

You may also like: What Medicaid acceptance looks like at Alabama substance use treatment centers

Wayne James // Shutterstock

Colbert County

– Abnormally dry: 3.1%
– Area in drought: 96.9%
— Moderate drought: 70.4%
— Severe drought: 26.4%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Canva

Winston County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 100.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Canva

Fayette County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 100.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Canva

Lawrence County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 96.7%
— Severe drought: 3.3%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Wayne James // Shutterstock

Lauderdale County

– Abnormally dry: 0.0%
– Area in drought: 100.0%
— Moderate drought: 56.0%
— Severe drought: 44.0%
— 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 31 states.

You may also like: Counties with the most homes selling under list price in Alabama