United States of megadrought
Drought has engulfed large swaths of the country, threatening parts of the nation’s food and power supply. And it’s getting worse. More than 80 percent of the continental U.S. is experiencing unusually dry conditions or full-on drought, which is the largest proportion since the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began tracking 20 years ago. Winter is expected to intensify and spread the dry conditions, killing crops and increasing fire risks in regions that don’t usually face such dangers, NOAA says. … California and the West are faring no better. The ongoing megadrought is expected to worsen …