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  • WBOY 12 News

    Report says 22 West Virginia counties in ‘extreme’ drought, here’s what that means

    By Joey Rather,

    9 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=246Vj7_0v74YNtM00

    CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — New data from the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) says that 22 counties in West Virginia are at least partially experiencing “extreme” drought conditions. But what exactly does that mean for the people who live there?

    The National Weather Service defines the possible impacts of extreme drought as “major crop/pasture losses, extreme fire danger, widespread water shortages or restrictions.”

    Some counties in the eastern panhandle and Allegheny Highlands have already experienced these conditions. The water in Thomas became discolored earlier this summer due to low reservoir levels supply and a farm in Huttonsville is expected to lose around half of its pumpkin crops due to the lack of rainfall.

    5 north central West Virginia cities set daily record low temperature

    The heatmap released this week by NIDIS shows that much of the state’s central region is experiencing “extreme” conditions.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4XjTeq_0v74YNtM00
    (Courtesy: The National Integrated Drought Information System)

    If the conditions persist, the counties highlighted in red could see similar problems to those in Thomas and Huttonsville as well as an increase in fires.

    West Virginia has been in a State of Emergency since July 26 due to this drought, which is set to expire on Aug. 26.

    Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

    For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.

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