| This Week’s Rain Not Enough |
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| Written by EverythingNRV | |
| Sunday, 22 July 2007 | |
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Despite the thunderstorms and rain that the area received last week, southwest Virginia is considered to be in a severe drought.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management defines a drought as “a period of abnormally dry weather that lasts long enough to produce a serious imbalance in the water cycle.” Droughts are defined by a number of factors including rainfall, vegetation, agricultural productivity, soil moisture, reservoir levels, changes in river and stream flows and economic impacts. A severe drought means likely crop and pasture damage, high fire risks, and water shortages and restrictions.
The Virginia Weekly Crop Report reported that the week’s scattered showers kept the crops alive but with little growth. Barry Robinson also reported that the lack of any significant precipitation has caused severe setbacks in growth. The report also cites that 42 percent of crops are in ‘poor condition’ with the corn crops taking the biggest loss.
The estimated crop losses statewide range from 30 percent to 80 percent and seven Virginia counties have applied for the Federal Disaster Designation that would allow farmers to get low-interest loans. Click for the USGS drought watch website. Set as favorite Bookmark
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