U.S. Drought Worst Since Dust Bowl

The drought currently overwhelming much of the U.S. ranks among the worst in American history and is the worst since the Dust Bowl.  Since 1999, the National Drought Mitigation Center has tracked the spread and intensity of droughts, and according to the center, 11 states possess regions with an "exceptional drought," characterized as resulting in "widespread crop losses," and water emergencies.  The "exceptional drought" category is the center's most extreme classification.  CNN provides an animated map to display the growth of the drought, which is now entering its eight month.  The expansive region experiencing the seriously low water levels covers land throughout the South, Midwest and West. Additionally, the NOAA's most recent projections paint a picture of a clear and swift recovery in the near future.