Counties with the worst droughts in Arkansas
Over one-third of the continental United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Storms during this past winter 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. West Virginia is currently the state with the most widespread drought, covering all 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 Arkansas with the worst droughts as of Sept. 24, 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 not experiencing drought are not included in the list. Counties are listed in order of drought severity.
Arkansas statistics
- Area in drought: 30.9% (#23 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 28.3%
--- Severe drought: 2.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Yell County
- Area in drought: 33.6%
--- Moderate drought: 33.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Monroe County
- Area in drought: 36.6%
--- Moderate drought: 18.8%
--- Severe drought: 17.8%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Grant County
- Area in drought: 36.7%
--- Moderate drought: 36.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Pulaski County
- Area in drought: 37.4%
--- Moderate drought: 37.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Clark County
- Area in drought: 44.6%
--- Moderate drought: 44.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Montgomery County
- Area in drought: 58.7%
--- Moderate drought: 58.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Desha County
- Area in drought: 61.7%
--- Moderate drought: 61.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Sevier County
- Area in drought: 66.9%
--- Moderate drought: 66.9%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Lafayette County
- Area in drought: 75.3%
--- Moderate drought: 75.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Chicot County
- Area in drought: 84.4%
--- Moderate drought: 84.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Columbia County
- Area in drought: 87.8%
--- Moderate drought: 87.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Carroll County
- Area in drought: 87.9%
--- Moderate drought: 82.8%
--- Severe drought: 5.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Calhoun County
- Area in drought: 88.9%
--- Moderate drought: 88.9%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Little River County
- Area in drought: 90.4%
--- Moderate drought: 90.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Phillips County
- Area in drought: 94.4%
--- Moderate drought: 37.7%
--- Severe drought: 56.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Miller County
- Area in drought: 94.7%
--- Moderate drought: 94.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Bradley County
- Area in drought: 96.5%
--- Moderate drought: 96.5%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Saline County
- Area in drought: 98.1%
--- Moderate drought: 98.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Hot Spring County
- Area in drought: 98.8%
--- Moderate drought: 98.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Arkansas County
- Area in drought: 99.2%
--- Moderate drought: 47.9%
--- Severe drought: 51.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Perry County
- Area in drought: 99.4%
--- Moderate drought: 99.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Ashley County
- Area in drought: 99.5%
--- Moderate drought: 99.5%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Union County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Garland County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Benton County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 68.2%
--- Severe drought: 31.8%
--- 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 45 states.