WJW FOX 8 News Cleveland

Counties with the worst droughts in Ohio

By Stacker,

1 day ago

(STACKER) – 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 Ohio 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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Ohio statistics

– Abnormally dry: 58.4%
– Area in drought: 21.2% (#14 nationally)
— Moderate drought: 21.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Meigs County

– Abnormally dry: 72.7%
– Area in drought: 27.3%
— Moderate drought: 27.3%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Richland County

– Abnormally dry: 66.3%
– Area in drought: 33.7%
— Moderate drought: 33.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Fairfield County

– Abnormally dry: 60.3%
– Area in drought: 39.7%
— Moderate drought: 39.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Hamilton County

– Abnormally dry: 58.0%
– Area in drought: 42.0%
— Moderate drought: 42.0%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Knox County

– Abnormally dry: 54.4%
– Area in drought: 45.6%
— Moderate drought: 45.6%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Lake County

– Abnormally dry: 52.7%
– Area in drought: 47.3%
— Moderate drought: 47.3%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Washington County

– Abnormally dry: 52.3%
– Area in drought: 47.7%
— Moderate drought: 47.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Clinton County

– Abnormally dry: 40.8%
– Area in drought: 59.2%
— Moderate drought: 59.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Montgomery County

– Abnormally dry: 32.4%
– Area in drought: 67.6%
— Moderate drought: 67.6%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Portage County

– Abnormally dry: 32.2%
– Area in drought: 67.8%
— Moderate drought: 67.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Geauga County

– Abnormally dry: 31.7%
– Area in drought: 68.3%
— Moderate drought: 68.3%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Franklin County

– Abnormally dry: 22.8%
– Area in drought: 77.2%
— Moderate drought: 77.2%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Ashland County

– Abnormally dry: 22.2%
– Area in drought: 77.8%
— Moderate drought: 77.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Wayne County

– Abnormally dry: 20.3%
– Area in drought: 79.7%
— Moderate drought: 79.7%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Warren County

– Abnormally dry: 19.2%
– Area in drought: 80.8%
— Moderate drought: 80.8%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Lorain County

– Abnormally dry: 18.9%
– Area in drought: 81.1%
— Moderate drought: 81.1%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Clark County

– Abnormally dry: 18.4%
– Area in drought: 81.6%
— Moderate drought: 81.6%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Fayette County

– Abnormally dry: 14.6%
– Area in drought: 85.4%
— Moderate drought: 85.4%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Pickaway County

– Abnormally dry: 10.4%
– Area in drought: 89.6%
— Moderate drought: 89.6%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Madison County

– Abnormally dry: 3.7%
– Area in drought: 96.3%
— Moderate drought: 96.3%
— Severe drought: 0.0%
— Extreme drought: 0.0%
— Exceptional drought: 0.0%