Counties with the worst droughts in Michigan

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 Michigan 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.

Emma Rubin // Stacker

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Michigan statistics

- Abnormally dry: 28.0%
- Area in drought: 54.5% (#16 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 36.1%
--- Severe drought: 18.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Van Buren 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%

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Schoolcraft 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%

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

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Saint Joseph 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%

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Osceola 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%

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

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Mecosta 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%

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Mackinac 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%

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Luce 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%

Alexey Stiop // Shutterstock

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Leelanau 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%

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Kent 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%

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Kalamazoo 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%

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Ionia 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%

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Emmet 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%

FefistoPhoto // Shutterstock

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Eaton 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%

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Dickinson 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%

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Delta 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%

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Chippewa 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%

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Charlevoix 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%

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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%

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Calhoun 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%

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

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Branch 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%

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Berrien 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%

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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%

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Antrim 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%

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Allegan 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%

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Alger 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%

Susan Sea // Shutterstock

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Clare County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 96.8%
--- Severe drought: 3.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Marquette County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 96.6%
--- Severe drought: 3.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Fsendek // Shutterstock

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Montcalm County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 95.2%
--- Severe drought: 4.8%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Cheboygan County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 89.7%
--- Severe drought: 10.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Grand Traverse County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 79.7%
--- Severe drought: 20.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

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Hillsdale County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 74.1%
--- Severe drought: 25.9%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Lake County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 68.3%
--- Severe drought: 31.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Mason County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 63.3%
--- Severe drought: 36.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Benzie County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 53.7%
--- Severe drought: 46.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Isabella County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 48.1%
--- Severe drought: 51.9%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Missaukee County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 47.1%
--- Severe drought: 52.9%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Otsego County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 46.6%
--- Severe drought: 53.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Kalkaska County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 41.7%
--- Severe drought: 58.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Iron County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 29.2%
--- Severe drought: 70.8%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

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Wexford County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 25.7%
--- Severe drought: 74.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Presque Isle County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 11.8%
--- Severe drought: 88.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Gladwin County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 10.8%
--- Severe drought: 89.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Huron County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 10.7%
--- Severe drought: 89.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Bay County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 2.4%
--- Severe drought: 97.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

Darlene Stanley // Shutterstock

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Roscommon County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 2.0%
--- Severe drought: 98.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Crawford County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 1.8%
--- Severe drought: 98.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Midland County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.3%
--- Severe drought: 99.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Gogebic 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%

ehrlif // Shutterstock

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Oscoda 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%

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Ogemaw 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%

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Montmorency 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%

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Manistee 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%

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Iosco 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%

Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

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Arenac 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%

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Alpena 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%

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Alcona 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 49 states.