Drought Impacts

Droughts can be very hard on society, because they are often long-lasting and impact agriculture and other sectors. They can drive farmers out of business, making the fruits and vegetables you eat more expensive. Without adequate water, lakes and rivers can dry up - hurting places that depend on tourism and taking away your favorite vacation spot. Even the electricity you use for your computer or TV can be more expensive - hydroelectric dams, like the Hoover Dam in Nevada, need water to operate.

Droughts are among the most costly weather-related events. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), the U.S. has sustained 265 weather and climate disasters since 1980 where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 billion (including CPI adjustment to 2020). The total cost of these 265 events exceeds $1.775 trillion.

Learn more at drought.gov