West Virginia suffered from a
prolonged drought between April, 1930 to November, 1931. Upper Tract of
Pendleton County had only 9.5 inches of rain for the entire year of 1930.
Many wells, streams, springs were dry. Towns were forced to haul water
for domestic consumption. The worst drought conditions were during the
autumn of 1930. People walked across the Monongahela River at Morgantown
without getting their feet wet. Extreme heat accompanied the drought
during the summer of 1930. The average monthly temperature in Williamson
for July, 1930 was 82.8 degrees, and that's considering both their high and
low temperature. Moorefield reached 112 degrees on August 4, 1930.
That's the hottest state temperature the 20th century, equaled again at
Martinsburg in 1936.
Another widespread drought hit the state between June, 1953
and May, 1954.
The area has been experiencing another widespread drought
since August, 1998, which peaked in July of 1999. As of mid November,
1999 ground water was still not being recharged.
Visit the
"Drought Monitor" web site.
This site uses maps and written summaries to provide a weekly overview of
where in the U.S. drought is emerging, lingering, subsiding or expected.
The data, synthesized multiple indices, outlooks, and news accounts are
available on-line and via e-mail updates for decision-makers, farm service
agencies, the media, and others interested in drought-related information.
