May 18, 2015Drought emergency declared in Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington state declared a drought emergency at a press conference on May 15.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reported that 11 long-term measurement sites were snow-free for the first time since measurements were recorded.
The NRCS report for Washington state water supply stated that May 1 SNOTEL readings were 17 percent of normal, which continues to be an all-time low.
We’re really starting to feel the pain from this snowpack drought,” Inslee said. “Impacts are already severe in several areas of the state. Difficult decisions are being made about what crops get priority water and how best to save fish.”
The Washington State Department of Agriculture is projecting a $1.2 billon crop loss in 2015 as a result of the drought.
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