Counties with the worst droughts in Kentucky

Published 5:46 pm Friday, July 19, 2024

Counties with the worst droughts in Kentucky

About one-fifth 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 90.5% 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 Kentucky with the worst droughts as of July 16, 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

Kentucky statistics

– Abnormally dry: 45.0%
– Area in drought: 13.5% (#24 nationally)
— Moderate drought: 13.5%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Spencer County

– Abnormally dry: 74.8%
– Area in drought: 25.2%
— Moderate drought: 25.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Nicholas County

– Abnormally dry: 70.0%
– Area in drought: 30.0%
— Moderate drought: 30.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Jackson County

– Abnormally dry: 64.4%
– Area in drought: 35.6%
— Moderate drought: 35.6%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Green County

– Abnormally dry: 54.9%
– Area in drought: 42.7%
— Moderate drought: 42.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Marion County

– Abnormally dry: 56.2%
– Area in drought: 43.8%
— Moderate drought: 43.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Franklin County

– Abnormally dry: 39.0%
– Area in drought: 45.7%
— Moderate drought: 45.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Letcher County

– Abnormally dry: 54.1%
– Area in drought: 45.9%
— Moderate drought: 45.9%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Harlan County

– Abnormally dry: 45.5%
– Area in drought: 54.5%
— Moderate drought: 54.5%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Fayette County

– Abnormally dry: 44.0%
– Area in drought: 56.0%
— Moderate drought: 56.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Jessamine County

– Abnormally dry: 43.8%
– Area in drought: 56.2%
— Moderate drought: 56.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Harrison County

– Abnormally dry: 25.3%
– Area in drought: 58.9%
— Moderate drought: 58.9%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Nelson County

– Abnormally dry: 36.3%
– Area in drought: 63.7%
— Moderate drought: 63.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Madison County

– Abnormally dry: 29.3%
– Area in drought: 70.7%
— Moderate drought: 70.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Scott County

– Abnormally dry: 15.2%
– Area in drought: 71.8%
— Moderate drought: 71.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Washington County

– Abnormally dry: 24.9%
– Area in drought: 75.1%
— Moderate drought: 75.1%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Casey County

– Abnormally dry: 24.2%
– Area in drought: 75.8%
— Moderate drought: 75.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Taylor County

– Abnormally dry: 7.2%
– Area in drought: 92.8%
— Moderate drought: 92.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Robertson County

– Abnormally dry: 5.5%
– Area in drought: 94.5%
— Moderate drought: 94.5%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Rockcastle County

– Abnormally dry: 1.5%
– Area in drought: 98.5%
— Moderate drought: 98.5%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%