drought news stories on Newser

Much of US Choked by Drought

Matt Cantor — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:01:34 CDT

Last year, dry conditions cost Southern farmers some $10 billion, and once again, things are looking bleak. Some 61% of the lower 48 states is experiencing drought or "abnormally dry" weather—the biggest proportion of the country since September 2007, USA Today reports. Just two states have completely escaped such...

Weapon of the Future: Water

Kevin Spak — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:11:05 CDT

Soon, the precious commodity that starts wars may not be oil: It'll be water. Thanks to fresh-water shortages, droughts, and floods, US intelligence thinks it's increasingly likely that water could be "used as a weapon" in war, with one state denying water to another, according to a report released yesterday....

Monsanto Tests Biotech Corn Resistant to Drought

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:15:21 CDT

Seed giant Monsanto plans large-scale tests this year of the first government-approved biotech crop developed to deal with drought. The new corn is being introduced as much of the US remains abnormally dry and areas in the South and Southwest still face severe drought. The company plans farm trials from...

California Facing Driest Year on Record

Rob Quinn — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:06:35 CST

The snow that provides around a third of California's water has largely gone AWOL this year, and with rain also noticeably scant, experts believe the state may be about to experience its driest year since records began. The temperature pattern known as La Niña, combined with a strong atmospheric barrier...

Melting Peru Glaciers Threaten Water Crisis

Evann Gastaldo — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:32:06 CST

Peru’s arid Rio Santa watershed could find itself facing a serious water shortage, as rapidly melting glaciers are causing a decrease in supply 20 to 30 years earlier than anticipated. The glaciers in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, which covered some 530 square miles in the 1930s, now cover less...

Thanks for Nothing: Pecan Prices Up 22%

Mark Russell — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:57:49 CST

For those who can't face Thanksgiving without pecan pie, you're going to pay dearly for the privilege this year: the price tag on the tasty dessert is up by 22%, reports CNN . Sure, core inflation is a low 2% , but food prices are on the rise, and pecans are up...

Island Nation's Water to Run Out in Days

Matt Cantor — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:28:05 CDT

As a drought continues to ravage Tuvalu , only a few days' supply of fresh water remains on the tiny Pacific island nation—so Australia and New Zealand are bringing over a desalination plant. Air force planes from both countries are hauling the gear to rescue Tuvalu's residents, who face a...

Drought Hits Crisis Level in Pacific Islands

Rob Quinn — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:46:45 CDT

Some island groups in the South Pacific, already in danger of being swamped by rising seas, have run out of fresh water. Tuvalu and Tokelau have declared states of emergency because of the water crisis, caused by six months of low or no rainfall and by groundwater becoming contaminated with...

Texas Wildfire Is 'Worst Ever'

Matt Cantor — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 07:48:48 CDT

Wildfires continued to ravage Central Texas yesterday as firefighters battled the most devastating single fire in Texas history, the Los Angeles Times reports. As of yesterday, 476 homes had been destroyed in Bastrop County, east of Austin; firefighters battled the flames as they tore through thousands of acres. With 40...