Counties with the worst droughts in Missouri

Written by:
December 20, 2024
Canva

Counties with the worst droughts in Missouri

Nearly half 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.

Four states currently have the most widespread drought, covering 100% of their areas. These are South Dakota, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware.

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. Across New England, ongoing drought has shrunk reservoirs and water supplies in the region.

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 Missouri with the worst droughts as of Dec. 17, 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.

1 / 26
Emma Rubin // Stacker

Missouri statistics

- Abnormally dry: 25.3%
- Area in drought: 13.6% (#42 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 13.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
2 / 26
Canva

Ralls County

- Abnormally dry: 15.4%
- Area in drought: 84.6%
--- Moderate drought: 84.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
3 / 26
Canva

Monroe County

- Abnormally dry: 13.7%
- Area in drought: 86.3%
--- Moderate drought: 86.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
4 / 26
Canva

Atchison County

- Abnormally dry: 13.2%
- Area in drought: 86.8%
--- Moderate drought: 86.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
5 / 26
Photos BrianScantlebury // Shutterstock

Marion County

- Abnormally dry: 10.6%
- Area in drought: 89.4%
--- Moderate drought: 89.4%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
6 / 26
Canva

Bates County

- Abnormally dry: 6.9%
- Area in drought: 93.1%
--- Moderate drought: 93.1%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
7 / 26
Canva

Morgan County

- Abnormally dry: 6.7%
- Area in drought: 93.3%
--- Moderate drought: 93.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
8 / 26
Lisa Fitzthum Photography // Shutterstock

Camden County

- Abnormally dry: 6.4%
- Area in drought: 93.6%
--- Moderate drought: 93.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
9 / 26
Jon Kraft // Shutterstock

Johnson County

- Abnormally dry: 5.3%
- Area in drought: 94.7%
--- Moderate drought: 94.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
10 / 26
Canva

Greene County

- Abnormally dry: 3.7%
- Area in drought: 96.3%
--- Moderate drought: 96.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
11 / 26
Canva

Shelby County

- Abnormally dry: 2.8%
- Area in drought: 97.2%
--- Moderate drought: 97.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
12 / 26
TommyBrison // Shutterstock

Saint Clair County

- Abnormally dry: 2.2%
- Area in drought: 97.8%
--- Moderate drought: 97.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
13 / 26
Peek Creative Collective // Shutterstock

Jasper County

- Abnormally dry: 2.0%
- Area in drought: 98.0%
--- Moderate drought: 98.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
14 / 26
Jon Kraft // Shutterstock

Jackson County

- Abnormally dry: 0.8%
- Area in drought: 99.2%
--- Moderate drought: 99.2%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
15 / 26
Canva

Stone 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%
16 / 26
Logan Bush // Shutterstock

Polk 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%
17 / 26
TommyBrison // Shutterstock

Platte 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%
18 / 26
EWY Media // Shutterstock

Newton 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%
19 / 26
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

McDonald 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%
20 / 26
Canva

Lawrence 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%
21 / 26
Canva

Hickory 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%
22 / 26
HMBSoFL Photography // Shutterstock

Henry 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%
23 / 26
Canva

Clay 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%
24 / 26
Canva

Cass 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%
25 / 26
TommyBrison // Shutterstock

Benton 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%
26 / 26
Canva

Barry 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 49 states.

Trending Now