United States (May 17, 2000)(added on 7/20/2000) Much of the midwestern and southern United States (about one-third to one half of the contiguous 48 states) is currently experiencing moderate to severe drought, posing a severe threat to farmers. Drought also increases risk of wildfires.
United States (1988)(added on 7/20/2000) Intense heat and lack of moisture hit a third of the United States, destroying half of the Great Plains crops and causing many forest fires in the West. It was the worst drought in recent times.