Drought Risk by US State — Maps, Data & Home Preparedness | HomeRiskMap

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

Highest exposure first. Click a state for the full drought briefing and source links.

Arizona Arizona is one of the driest states in the country, and drought touches nearly every home here, from Phoenix… Very High California If you're buying a house in California, drought is not just a summer inconvenience — it can crack your… Very High Nevada Drought is a recurring, long-term condition in Nevada rather than a rare emergency — the state is generally… Very High New Mexico Drought is the defining natural hazard in New Mexico, where most of the state is arid or semi-arid and large… Very High Texas Drought is a statewide, recurring hazard in Texas, rated at the highest risk level (5 of 5). Long dry spells… Very High Utah Utah is rated at the highest level (5 out of 5) for drought risk. Much of the state is arid or semi-arid, and… Very High Colorado Colorado gets rated 4 out of 5 for drought risk, and the reasons are mostly about where the water comes from… High Kansas Kansas gets a level 4 out of 5 for drought risk, and that means dry spells can hit your foundation, your… High Montana Drought is a recurring hazard in Montana, rated level 4 of 5 in the state's risk profile. It can deplete… High Nebraska Nebraska faces a high risk of drought, rated level 4 out of 5. Drought is a recurring natural hazard that can… High Oklahoma Drought is a recurring hazard across Oklahoma, with the most frequent and severe conditions in the Panhandle… High South Dakota Drought is a recurring, high-impact hazard in South Dakota, rated level 4 of 5 in the state's risk profile.… High Wyoming Wyoming's drought risk is real — much of the state gets less than 16 inches of precipitation a year, and… High Alabama Drought is a recurring hazard in Alabama, most often developing during hot late-summer and fall dry spells… Moderate Arkansas Arkansas sits at a level 3 of 5 for drought risk, but that doesn't tell you what happens to your foundation… Moderate Florida If you own a home in Florida, drought can dry up your well, crack your foundation, and make your landscaping… Moderate Georgia Drought in Georgia is a slow burn, not a sudden disaster, but it can crack your foundation and drain your… Moderate Idaho Idaho sits at a level 3 drought risk out of 5, which means most years are fine but the dry ones can bite. If… Moderate Iowa Drought in Iowa is a slow squeeze, rated 3 out of 5 statewide, and it hits your foundation, your well, and… Moderate Louisiana Louisiana's drought risk is level 3 out of 5, and it can crack your foundation, dry up your well, and raise… Moderate Mississippi Mississippi faces a moderate drought risk, rated level 3 out of 5. Drought can lead to water shortages,… Moderate Missouri Drought is a recurring hazard in Missouri, rated level 3 out of 5 by HomeRiskMap. It most often affects… Moderate North Dakota Drought is a recurring hazard across North Dakota, driven by the state's dry continental climate and low… Moderate Oregon Oregon's drought risk is rated 3 out of 5. Drought in Oregon is often driven by low winter snowpack and dry… Moderate South Carolina Drought is a recurring, often multi-year hazard in South Carolina, even though the state averages roughly 48… Moderate Alaska Alaska’s drought risk is real but lower than the desert West, and it mostly shows up as dry wells, low… Low Connecticut Connecticut's drought risk is level 2 out of 5, so it's not the desert, but a dry summer can still leave a… Low Delaware Drought risk in Delaware is low, but it's not zero. If you have a well or a foundation that shifts, a dry… Low District of Columbia District of Columbia sits at level 2 out of 5 for drought — a mild rating, but the slow stuff still bites.… Low Hawaii Drought in Hawaii usually isn't a statewide emergency — it shows up as dry leeward slopes, low catchment… Low Illinois Drought risk for homes in Illinois is rated 2 out of 5, but that doesn't mean you can ignore it. When dry… Low Indiana Indiana's drought risk is rated 2 out of 5, so it's not the first thing most buyers worry about. But dry… Low Kentucky Kentucky is a level 2 out of 5 for drought risk, which means it's not the desert Southwest but it's not… Low Maine Drought in Maine is rated level 2 out of 5, indicating a moderate risk. While the state is generally humid,… Low Maryland Drought risk in Maryland is rated level 2 of 5. While the state generally receives moderate precipitation,… Low Massachusetts Drought risk in Massachusetts is rated level 2 of 5, meaning the state experiences periodic droughts that are… Low Michigan Drought is a moderate risk in Michigan, rated level 2 of 5. While the Great Lakes and humid climate reduce… Low Minnesota Drought risk in Minnesota is rated level 2 out of 5, indicating a relatively low but present hazard. Droughts… Low New Hampshire Drought is rated Level 2 of 5 in New Hampshire — a moderate but recurring risk in a state most people think… Low New Jersey Drought is a recurring natural hazard in New Jersey, with the state rated at level 2 of 5 for drought risk.… Low New York Drought is a recurring hazard in New York, though it typically develops slowly and varies by region. The… Low North Carolina North Carolina experiences periodic droughts that can strain water supplies, damage foundations, and affect… Low Ohio Drought in Ohio is a moderate risk, rated 2 out of 5 by the National Risk Index. While the state generally… Low Pennsylvania Pennsylvania's humid climate usually delivers ample rain, so drought here tends to be a short-term, seasonal… Low Rhode Island Rhode Island has a moderate drought risk (level 2 of 5), with droughts developing slowly over months and… Low Tennessee Drought is a recurring hazard in Tennessee, though the state's overall risk is rated level 2 out of 5. All… Low Vermont Vermont is a humid state with relatively low overall drought risk, but dry spells do occur — most often as… Low Virginia Drought is a recurring hazard in Virginia, rated Level 2 of 5 on HomeRiskMap. It can develop in any season… Low Washington Drought in Washington is typically driven by low winter snowpack and hot, dry summers, with the most severe… Low West Virginia Drought in West Virginia is a moderate risk (level 2 of 5) that develops slowly and unevenly across the… Low Wisconsin Wisconsin has a relatively low drought risk compared to western states, rated level 2 of 5. Droughts in… Low

Official maps for drought

About these rankings

Which states have the highest drought risk?: Arizona currently ranks at the top of this list (Very High). Rankings are statewide averages — a county can sit well above or below that score.
Does homeowners insurance cover drought?: Drought itself is not an insurance event. The related hits — foundation movement, wildfire — may or may not be covered. Read the earth-movement language.
How should I use this ranking?: Find your state, open the state × hazard page, then verify the address on the official maps linked there. This page is a comparison tool, not a determination.

Last updated: June 12, 2026. Rankings are state-wide estimates based on public hazard data (FEMA, NOAA, USGS) — always verify your specific address with official sources.