The state of Ohio is currently experiencing one of its worst droughts in decades. Over “87% of the state is affected by some level of drought, with nearly 10% facing exceptional drought conditions which is the highest category of severity”. This is the first time Ohio has experienced severe drought since monitoring began in 2000.
A drought monitor is updated and is available to the public every Thursday. Since recording began in the year 2000, September 2024 is the driest the state has ever been. The last time Ohio was considered in a drought was at the end of 2023. However, this was during the winter months which means conditions of weather were more severe than what they are in the summer and fall weather.
As of September 19th, “the area of northwest Ohio has only had two days of rain”. This means that the area has gone almost two weeks without rain. From January 31st to February 14th, that was the last time northwest Ohio went without rain. If this pattern continues, this could possibly be the driest September has ever been recorded.
Many people don’t think this will affect them and their everyday lives. However, there are some serious risks of a drought like this. There are fire risks for example. Approximately “a third of the state is under no burning restrictions”. Agricultural impacts are also a factor. With how warm and dry the weather has been, it has affected the crops. Corn and soybeans for example have already matured which is causing some farmers to harvest earlier in the year. “Some farmers are projecting a drop of up to 50% in certain areas”. This is also causing farmers to use their winter hay supplies months earlier.
Ohio’s Department of Agriculture is keeping track of the situation and even some counties have been declared as disaster areas. A time table on when things can go back to somewhat normal will depend on “sustained rain and improvements in soil moisture” over the next few months. For more information, visit https://www.wtol.com/
