Table 2: U.S. Drought Events Since 2000 |
Date |
Cost in billions (2021 USD)
(unadjusted cost) |
Description |
States |
2021 |
$8.9
($8.4) |
Western drought conditions were persistent throughout 2021, as the drought expanded and intensified across many Western states. A historic heat wave also developed across, the Pacific Northwest shattering numerous high temperature records across the region. This prolonged heat dome was maximized over Oregon and Washington and extended well into Canada. These extreme temperatures impacted several major cities and millions of people. For example, Portland reached a high of 116 degrees F while Seattle reached 108 degrees F. These extreme temperatures caused hundreds of direct and indirect heat-related fatalities across Oregon and Washington, not including excess mortality that may be hundreds of additional deaths. This combined drought and heat rapidly dried out vegetation across the West, impacting agriculture. Low water levels also forced the hydroelectric power plant at Lake Oroville in California to shut down for the first time since it opened in 1967. |
Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Kan., Mont., N.D., Neb., Nev., N.M., Ore., S.D., Utah, Wash., Wyo. |
2020 |
$4.8
($4.5) |
Widespread, continuous drought and record heat affected more than a dozen Western and Central states for much of the summer, fall and into the winter months. There were considerable crop and livestock impacts across the West and Central states from both the persistent heat and increasingly dry conditions. The combined drought and heat also assisted in drying out vegetation across the West that contributed to the Western wildfire potential and severity. |
Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho., Iowa, Kan., Neb., Nev., N.D., N.M., Okla., Ore., S.D., Texas, Utah, Wyo. |
2018 |
$3.3
($3.0) |
Many states were affected by extreme drought. Drought conditions persisted in the Four Corners region of the Southwest, causing damage to crops. |
Ariz., Colo., Kan., Mo., N.M., Okla., Texas, Utah |
2017 |
$2.8
($2.5) |
Severe drought damaged agricultural crops, including wheat. Lack of feed forced ranchers to sell their cattle. This drought increased wildfire risk leading up to the 2017 wildfires. |
Mont., N.D., S.D. |
2016 |
$4.0
($3.4) |
In California, the 5-year drought continued, destroying over 100 million trees. Stressed water supplies in the Northeast and Southeast impacted agricultural production. |
Ala., Calif., Conn., Ga., Mass., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Pa., R.I., Tenn., Vt. |
2015 |
$5.3
($4.5) |
Drought conditions continued to affect California throughout 2015, heavily impacting the agricultural sector. Drought conditions improved in Texas and Oklahoma due to several major flood events. |
Ariz., Calif., Idaho, Mont., Nev., Ore., Utah, Wash. |
2014 |
$4.7
($4.0) |
California experienced the worst drought on record. Surrounding states and parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas continued to experience severe drought conditions. |
Ariz., Calif., Kan., Nev., N.M., Okla., Ore., Texas |
2013 |
$12.6
($10.4) |
Drought conditions slowly improved in Midwestern and Plains states but continued in western states. Moderate crop losses occurred across the central agricultural states and the heat caused 53 deaths. |
Ariz., Calif., Colo., Iowa, Idaho, Ill., Kan., Mich., Minn., Mo., N.D., Neb., N.M., Nev., Okla., Ore., S.D., Texas, Utah, Wash., Wis., Wyo. |
2012 |
$36.9
($30.0) |
The 2012 drought was the most extensive since the 1930s. Moderate to extreme drought conditions affected more than half the country. Costly drought impacts occurred in central states, with widespread harvest failure. The summer heatwave caused 123 direct deaths. |
Calif., Nev., Idaho, Mont., Wyo., Utah, Colo., Ariz., N.M., Texas, N.D., S.D., Neb., Kan., Okla., Ark., Mo., Iowa, Minn., Ill., Ind., Ga. |
2011 |
$15.1
($12.0) |
Drought and heat wave conditions persisted. The majority of range and pastures in Texas and Oklahoma were in “very poor” condition. Heat conditions caused to 95 deaths. |
Ariz., Kan., La., N.M., Okla., Texas |
2009 |
$4.6
($3.5) |
Drought conditions persisted across parts of the Southwest, Great Plains, and southern Texas, with Texas and California suffering the most agricultural losses. |
Ariz., Calif., Kan., N.M., Okla., Texas |
2008 |
$9.3
($7.0) |
Severe drought and heat caused agricultural losses in areas of the South and West. Record low lake levels also occurred in areas of the Southeast. |
Ala., Ark., Calif., Colo., Ga., Idaho, Ind., Kan., Ky., Md., Minn., Miss., Mont., N.C., N.D., N.J., N.M., Ohio, Okla., Ore., S.C., Tenn., Texas, Utah, Va., Wash., Wis. |
2007 |
$4.8
($3.5) |
Severe drought with periods of extreme heat resulted in major crop yield loss, reduced stream flows and lake levels, and caused 15 deaths. |
Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kan., Ky., La., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., N.C., N.D., N.Y., Neb., Ohio, Okla., Pa., S.C., S.D., Tenn., Texas, Va., Wis., W.Va. |
2006 |
$8.4
($6.0) |
Severe drought affected crops, caused wildfires and low streams and rivers in the Great Plains and portions of the South and far West. |
Ala., Ark., Colo., Fla., Ga., Iowa, Kan., La., Minn., Miss., Mo., Mont., N.D., N.M., Neb., Okla., S.D., Texas, Wyo. |
2005 |
$2.2
($1.5) |
Severe localized drought caused significant crop losses, especially for corn and soybeans. |
Ark., Ill., Ind., Mo., Ohio, Wis. |
2003 |
$7.7
($5.0) |
Drought across western and central portions of the United States with losses to agriculture. Thirty-five deaths were caused by the heatwave. |
Ariz., Colo., Idaho, Ill., Iowa, Kan., Mich., Minn., Mo., Mont., N.D., N.D., N.M., Neb., Ore., S.D., Wash., Wis. |
2002 |
$14.1
($9.0) |
Large portions of 30 states experienced moderate to extreme drought conditions. |
Ala., Ariz., Calif., Colo., Conn., Del., Fla., Ga., Idaho, Iowa, Kan. La., Maine, Md., Mich., Miss., Mo., Mont., Neb., Nev., N.M., N.C., N.D., Ohio, Okla., Ore., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.D., Texas, Utah, Va., Wyo. |
2000 |
$8.2
($5.0) |
Severe drought and persistent heat over south-central and southeastern states caused significant losses to agriculture and related industries. The heat caused 140 deaths. |
Ala., Ariz., Ark., Calif., Colo., Fla., Ga., Iowa, Kan., La., Miss., Mont., Neb., N.M., Okla., Ore. S.C., Tenn., Texas |