Counties with the worst droughts in Nebraska
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 Nebraska 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.
Nebraska statistics
- Abnormally dry: 8.5%
- Area in drought: 20.0% (#13 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 13.8%
--- Severe drought: 6.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Gage County
- Abnormally dry: 31.1%
- Area in drought: 68.9%
--- Moderate drought: 68.6%
--- Severe drought: 0.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Howard County
- Abnormally dry: 23.3%
- Area in drought: 72.0%
--- Moderate drought: 72.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Washington County
- Abnormally dry: 21.7%
- Area in drought: 78.3%
--- Moderate drought: 78.3%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Nuckolls County
- Abnormally dry: 5.8%
- Area in drought: 94.2%
--- Moderate drought: 59.8%
--- Severe drought: 34.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Platte County
- Abnormally dry: 4.0%
- Area in drought: 96.0%
--- Moderate drought: 75.1%
--- Severe drought: 20.9%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Saunders 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%
Nance County
- Abnormally dry: 1.2%
- Area in drought: 98.8%
--- Moderate drought: 98.8%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Butler County
- Abnormally dry: 0.5%
- Area in drought: 99.5%
--- Moderate drought: 46.5%
--- Severe drought: 53.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Adams 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%
Jefferson County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 52.6%
--- Severe drought: 47.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Sarpy 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%
Otoe 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%
Hall 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%
Douglas 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%
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%
Lancaster County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 99.7%
--- Severe drought: 0.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Merrick County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 96.8%
--- Severe drought: 3.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Hamilton County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 50.1%
--- Severe drought: 49.9%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Thayer County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 37.4%
--- Severe drought: 62.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Clay County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 15.1%
--- Severe drought: 84.9%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Seward County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 8.8%
--- Severe drought: 91.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Polk County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 2.8%
--- Severe drought: 97.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Saline County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.7%
--- Severe drought: 99.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
York County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 100.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Fillmore County
- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 100.0%
--- 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.
