By Stephen Smoot
The long hot summer hasn’t bought itself a bus ticket and disappeared, but more moderate conditions have led to an easing of the more severe conditions seen in July and early August.
Pendleton County currently, according to a federal website, is in D2 “severe drought” conditions. This serves as an upgrade from the former status of D3 “extreme drought.”
Rains from the remnants of Hurricane Debby proved vital for the region. During the past two months, including the rains, most of Pendleton, except for the southeast third, has seen between 75 and 100 percent of normal rainfall. From Franklin to the east and south, the region saw higher than normal precipitation, up to 150 percent of normal rainfall.
Duri ng the past 30 days, almost all the county saw between 100 and 150 percent with small pockets south of Franklin and near Brandywine and Sugar Grove seeing up to twice the normal amounts.
Milder temperatures, likely stemming from an unexpected surge of cold water hitting the North Atlantic, have seen temperatures in the western half of the county at near the normal range, but the South Branch and South Fork valleys seeing temperatures one to three degrees above normal.
The past week or so, however, saw the return of temperatures between four and eight degrees above normal.
Just after the hurricane rains, streams ran above normal, but drier conditions in the past two weeks also had their effect. The South Fork currently runs at normal levels, but the South Branch level fell below normal. The next week, according to the website, should see between a half and a full inch of rain.
Conditions are expected to improve over the next month, but northern Pendleton County may see drought conditions extend through the rest of the season.
Even if a burn ban is not in effect, officials urge residents to either refrain from burning or practice extreme caution when conducting a burn as dry conditions persist into the fall
The extreme D3 conditions that plagued the greater Eastern Panhandle for much of the summer have now settled in over much of the state. From the Ohio Valley to Canaan Valley, almost 30 counties suffer from at least D3 conditions. This includes all of Randolph but the eastern mountains, the southwest corner of Tucker County, and almost all of Pocahontas County north of Marlinton.
Jackson County sits in the epicenter of a large area of the most serious drought category, D4 “exceptional drought.” Like Pendleton, Jackson County’s economy relies heavily on cattle, corn, and hay production.
Exceptional drought, according to the National Weather Service, creates “widespread crop and pasture losses, exceptional fire risk, shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells causing water emergencies.”
Governor Jim Justice has declared a drought emergency in all 55 counties. Those areas that have seen D3 drought conditions or higher, including all of Pendleton County, are eligible for federal or state aid.
Federal and state programs are available to help farmers affected by the drought. Contact the Pendleton County Farm Service Agency at 304-358-2285 or the Potomac Valley Conservation District at 304-822-5174.
