The 2012 drought is the most extensive drought to affect the U.S. since the 1930s. Moderate to extreme drought conditions affected more than half the country for a majority of 2012. The following states were affected: CA, NV, ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, TX, ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, AR, MO, IA, MN, IL, IN, GA. Costly drought impacts occurred across the central agriculture states resulting in widespread harvest failure for corn, sorghum and soybean crops, among others. The associated summer heatwave also caused 123 direct deaths, but an estimate of the excess mortality due to heat stress is still unknown. — NOAA: Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters
Date of event: January-December 2012
Impact:
- CPI-Adjusted Estimated Cost: $32.4 billion
- Deaths: 123
Related Resources:
- National Drought Forum, Summary Report and Priroty Actions: 2012 Drought and U.S. Preparedness in 2013 and Beyond
- Drought in the United States: Causes and Issues for Congress [August 15, 2012]
- U.S. Drought Portal
HSDL Search: Severe Drought