Counties with the worst droughts in Oklahoma
About 17% of the continental United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Winter storms brought heavy (in some areas, record-setting) rainfall and flooding to California, offering the state an expected two-year reprieve from widespread droughts, that covered nearly 100% of the state from 2020 to 2022. But in other parts of the country, especially dry conditions continue. New Mexico currently is the state with the highest drought level, covering nearly 75% of the state's area.
In periods of drought, levels of major reservoirs and rivers can fall dramatically. Groundwater systems are also affected as shrinking water supplies impact agriculture and hydropower generation while increasing wildfire risk.
Periods of drought have intensified and become more frequent in recent years due to climate change. Scientists predict that even in low-emissions scenarios, much of the U.S. will be drier by the end of the century.
Stacker cited data from the U.S. Drought Monitor to identify the counties in Oklahoma with the worst droughts in the week leading up to April 9, 2024. Counties are listed in order of percent of the area in drought conditions. "Abnormally dry" is not considered to be a drought but is included as a separate data point. Additional data for the state overall is also included. Any counties which are not experiencing drought are not included in the list. Counties are listed in order of drought severity.
Oklahoma statistics
- Abnormally dry: 34.8%
- Area in drought: 15.4% (#15 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 15.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Noble County
- Abnormally dry: 36.7%
- Area in drought: 0.1%
--- Moderate drought: 0.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Washington County
- Abnormally dry: 99.3%
- Area in drought: 0.7%
--- Moderate drought: 0.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Muskogee County
- Abnormally dry: 71.6%
- Area in drought: 2.0%
--- Moderate drought: 2.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Texas County
- Abnormally dry: 97.7%
- Area in drought: 2.3%
--- Moderate drought: 2.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Delaware County
- Abnormally dry: 18.9%
- Area in drought: 5.3%
--- Moderate drought: 5.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Osage County
- Abnormally dry: 55.6%
- Area in drought: 6.1%
--- Moderate drought: 6.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Major County
- Abnormally dry: 86.9%
- Area in drought: 13.1%
--- Moderate drought: 13.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Comanche County
- Abnormally dry: 25.7%
- Area in drought: 13.3%
--- Moderate drought: 13.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Dewey County
- Abnormally dry: 84.2%
- Area in drought: 14.7%
--- Moderate drought: 14.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Jackson County
- Abnormally dry: 83.8%
- Area in drought: 16.2%
--- Moderate drought: 16.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Kiowa County
- Abnormally dry: 79.6%
- Area in drought: 20.4%
--- Moderate drought: 20.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Garfield County
- Abnormally dry: 62.1%
- Area in drought: 29.8%
--- Moderate drought: 29.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Kay County
- Abnormally dry: 61.6%
- Area in drought: 36.9%
--- Moderate drought: 36.9%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Tillman County
- Abnormally dry: 30.8%
- Area in drought: 38.9%
--- Moderate drought: 38.9%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Roger Mills County
- Abnormally dry: 58.8%
- Area in drought: 41.2%
--- Moderate drought: 41.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Adair County
- Abnormally dry: 44.7%
- Area in drought: 51.3%
--- Moderate drought: 51.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Cherokee County
- Abnormally dry: 39.8%
- Area in drought: 53.5%
--- Moderate drought: 53.5%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Beaver County
- Abnormally dry: 44.3%
- Area in drought: 55.7%
--- Moderate drought: 55.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Harper County
- Abnormally dry: 4.4%
- Area in drought: 95.6%
--- Moderate drought: 95.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Alfalfa County
- Abnormally dry: 4.3%
- Area in drought: 95.7%
--- Moderate drought: 95.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Woodward County
- Abnormally dry: 2.9%
- Area in drought: 97.1%
--- Moderate drought: 97.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Woods County
- Abnormally dry: 2.3%
- Area in drought: 97.7%
--- Moderate drought: 97.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Grant County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Ellis County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 28 states.