🌵 Kentucky Drought Monitor
Current drought conditions and weekly trends for Kentucky. Data sourced from NOAA / US Drought Monitor.
Live Data • Last updated: May 19, 2026
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D2
Dominant
Kentucky is in Severe Drought
Dominant drought category as of May 19, 2026
Drought Category Breakdown
Percentage of Kentucky's land area in each drought category.
95%
91%
77%
42%
No Drought
D0 — Abnormally Dry
D1 — Moderate Drought
D2 — Severe Drought
D3 — Extreme Drought
D4 — Exceptional Drought
📋 Drought Impact Assessment
Severe drought conditions are affecting 77.46% of Kentucky's land area, with an additional 90.72% experiencing moderate drought. Currently, only 4.65% of the state is free from drought, while 95.35% is classified as abnormally dry. Extreme drought conditions are impacting 41.61% of the state, highlighting the widespread nature of the water crisis.
As a result of the severe drought, water users in Kentucky face significant challenges. Reservoir storage levels are critically low, leading to mandatory water restrictions in several municipalities. Agricultural producers are experiencing heightened stress due to insufficient soil moisture, which threatens crop yields and livestock health. Additionally, reduced river flows are impacting recreational activities and aquatic ecosystems, further complicating the state's water management efforts.
As a result of the severe drought, water users in Kentucky face significant challenges. Reservoir storage levels are critically low, leading to mandatory water restrictions in several municipalities. Agricultural producers are experiencing heightened stress due to insufficient soil moisture, which threatens crop yields and livestock health. Additionally, reduced river flows are impacting recreational activities and aquatic ecosystems, further complicating the state's water management efforts.