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Counties with the worst droughts in Ohio

Over one-third 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. West Virginia is currently the state with the most widespread drought, covering all 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 Ohio with the worst droughts as of Sept. 24, 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.

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Emma Rubin // Stacker

Ohio statistics

- Abnormally dry: 10.3%
- Area in drought: 87.7% (#2 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 23.4%
--- Severe drought: 28.5%
--- Extreme drought: 23.1%
--- Exceptional drought: 12.6%

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Nagel Photography // Shutterstock

Van Wert 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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CourtneySimons // Shutterstock

Mercer 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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Darke 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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Bravo Charlie Productions // Shutterstock

Allen 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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Preble County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 96.2%
--- Severe drought: 3.9%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Joshua D'Ariano // Shutterstock

Hancock County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 95.7%
--- Severe drought: 4.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Putnam County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 87.1%
--- Severe drought: 12.9%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Auglaize County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 84.3%
--- Severe drought: 15.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

Williams County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 54.9%
--- Severe drought: 45.1%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Anne Kitzman // Shutterstock

Paulding County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 54.4%
--- Severe drought: 45.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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JNix // Shutterstock

Columbiana County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 54.0%
--- Severe drought: 46.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Donna Wickerham // Shutterstock

Richland County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 36.9%
--- Severe drought: 63.1%
--- 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: 36.8%
--- Severe drought: 63.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Ottawa County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 29.3%
--- Severe drought: 70.7%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Shelby County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 21.4%
--- Severe drought: 78.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Wyandot County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 20.5%
--- Severe drought: 79.5%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Hardin County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 19.5%
--- Severe drought: 80.5%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Rosamar // Shutterstock

Wood County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 18.0%
--- Severe drought: 82.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Mahoning County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 17.5%
--- Severe drought: 82.5%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Roberto Galan // Shutterstock

Fulton County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 13.7%
--- Severe drought: 86.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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Holmes County

- Abnormally dry: 0.0%
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 1.4%
--- Severe drought: 98.6%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%

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