Approaches Connecting the USDM to Drought Impacts in the United States

Drought is a natural, slow-moving hazard that can have far reaching economic, environmental, and societal impacts. With annual losses nearing $10 billion per year in the United States, drought has been linked directly and indirectly to agricultural losses, reduction in energy production, decreases in water quality and availability, an increase in wildfires and human health issues. Since these hazards have a gradual onset, it can be difficult comparing drought events, duration and severity, with these impacts. In addition, there are climatologically wetter and drier areas across the country. An understanding of these differences can help identify the drought sensitivity of an area and how the severity of impacts could be influenced in these areas. This study used data from the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), to build a historical record for every county in the United States, and demographic data to help identify areas and populations vulnerable to drought. The study also applied various techniques, including the calculation of the Drought Severity and Coverage Index, drought duration, severity and ranks, to detect where impacts are hitting hardest across the U.S. Drought outlooks and forecasts were then incorporated to generate a product to serve as an indicator for emerging impacts in those vulnerable areas.