Drought develops slowly but threatens water supplies, agriculture, foundations and wildfire conditions.

How to prepare your home

  • Follow local water restrictions and fix leaks promptly.
  • Install low-flow fixtures and drought-tolerant landscaping.
  • Water foundations evenly in expansive-soil regions to prevent cracking.
  • Harvest rainwater where permitted for outdoor use.
  • Monitor conditions on the US Drought Monitor.

Official sources

All states ranked by drought risk

Arizona Arizona faces some of the highest drought risk in the United States, driven by its arid climate, limited… Very High California California faces an extreme drought risk, rated 5 out of 5 by HomeRiskMap. The state's Mediterranean climate… Very High Nevada Nevada is the driest state in the U.S. and faces a very high drought risk, rated 5 out of 5. Chronic water… Very High New Mexico New Mexico is rated level 5 out of 5 for drought risk, making it one of the most drought-prone states in the… Very High Texas Texas experiences severe and frequent droughts, especially in the western and central parts of the state,… Very High Utah Utah has the highest possible drought risk rating (5 out of 5) due to its arid climate, variable snowpack,… Very High Colorado Colorado faces a high risk of drought, rated level 4 out of 5, driven by its semi-arid climate and reliance… High Kansas Kansas experiences frequent and severe droughts due to its location in the central Great Plains and semi-arid… High Montana Montana faces a high level 4 (out of 5) drought risk, with seasonal dry spells and variable precipitation… High Nebraska Nebraska faces a high risk of drought due to its semi-arid climate and heavy reliance on agriculture. Drought… High Oklahoma Drought is a significant and recurring hazard in Oklahoma, rated level 4 out of 5 by the National Risk Index.… High South Dakota South Dakota has a high risk of drought, with periodic dry spells that can stress water supplies and increase… High Wyoming Wyoming is rated level 4 of 5 for drought risk on the National Risk Index. Drought affects water supply, can… High Alabama Alabama faces a moderate drought risk, with occasional dry spells that can stress water supplies,… Moderate Arkansas Drought is a recurring hazard in Arkansas, rated level 3 of 5, meaning significant risk of periods with… Moderate Florida Drought in Florida is a recurring hazard that can stress water supplies, increase wildfire risk, and damage… Moderate Georgia Georgia experiences periodic droughts, typically during the late summer and fall, which can strain water… Moderate Idaho Idaho faces significant drought risk due to its semi-arid climate and reliance on snowpack for water supply.… Moderate Iowa Iowa's drought risk is moderate, with dry spells most common in summer and fall. Drought can harm… Moderate Louisiana Louisiana faces a moderate drought risk (level 3 of 5) due to its humid subtropical climate and periodic… Moderate Mississippi Mississippi faces a moderate (level 3 of 5) drought risk, with periodic dry spells that can stress… Moderate Missouri Drought risk in Missouri is moderate, rated level 3 of 5 by FEMA. The state experiences periodic dry spells… Moderate North Dakota North Dakota has a moderate drought risk (level 3 of 5) that can affect homes through soil shrinkage, well… Moderate Oregon Drought is a recurring hazard in Oregon, affecting water supply, agriculture, and wildfire risk across the… Moderate South Carolina South Carolina faces a moderate risk of drought, with dry conditions most likely in the summer and fall.… Moderate Alaska Drought risk in Alaska is generally low to moderate, but it can still affect water supplies and increase… Low Connecticut Connecticut is rated level 2 of 5 for drought risk, meaning drought is a lower but real concern. Droughts in… Low Delaware Drought risk in Delaware is relatively low, but the state can still experience dry periods that affect water… Low District of Columbia The District of Columbia faces a moderate drought risk, rated level 2 of 5. Droughts here typically occur in… Low Hawaii Hawaii experiences periodic drought conditions, particularly on leeward (dry) sides of the islands and during… Low Illinois Drought risk in Illinois is relatively low compared to western states, but periodic dry spells can still… Low Indiana Indiana faces a moderate drought risk, rated 2 out of 5 on the national hazard scale. While the state… Low Kentucky Drought risk in Kentucky is relatively low, but periodic dry spells can still stress water supplies,… Low Maine Maine has a relatively low drought risk compared to other states, but periodic dry spells can still affect… Low Maryland Drought risk in Maryland is moderate, rated level 2 of 5. Droughts typically develop during summer and can… Low Massachusetts Drought in Massachusetts is a periodic hazard, most common during late summer and fall, when rainfall… Low Michigan Michigan experiences occasional droughts, typically during summer months, despite its abundant water… Low Minnesota Minnesota is rated level 2 of 5 for drought risk, meaning a moderate but real possibility of prolonged dry… Low New Hampshire New Hampshire faces a moderate drought risk, rated level 2 of 5. Although the state normally receives enough… Low New Jersey New Jersey faces a moderate, level 2 drought risk, meaning dry spells can occur but are less severe than in… Low New York New York is rated level 2 of 5 for drought risk, meaning drought is possible but generally less severe than… Low North Carolina North Carolina faces a moderate, level 2 drought risk, with dry spells most common in late summer and fall.… Low Ohio Ohio has low drought risk, but dry spells can damage foundations and water supplies. Get practical… Low Pennsylvania Pennsylvania has a lower risk of drought than many other states, but dry spells can still occur, especially… Low Rhode Island Rhode Island experiences periodic drought, typically rated as a moderate (Level 2 of 5) hazard. While the… Low Tennessee Tennessee has a relatively low drought risk, rated level 2 of 5, but dry spells can still occur, especially… Low Vermont Drought risk in Vermont is relatively low compared with western states, but the state can still experience… Low Virginia Virginia faces a moderate drought risk (level 2 of 5), with periodic dry spells that can stress water… Low Washington Washington faces periodic drought conditions, with the eastern and central parts of the state generally more… Low West Virginia Drought risk in West Virginia is rated level 2 of 5, so it is relatively low. Still, short-term dry spells in… Low Wisconsin Drought risk in Wisconsin is rated Level 2 (relatively low) among U.S. states, but the state can still… Low