For only the second time in 15 years, a portion of Oregon is under “exceptional drought” – the most severe rating – as state officials face widespread dryness east of the Willamette Valley. Some 82 percent of the state is rated in drought conditions ranging from moderate to extreme. The weekly Drought Monitor listed a sliver of the state, 0.12 percent in south-central Oregon along the California border, in exceptional drought.
Oregon Gov Kate Brown has declared drought emergencies in five counties with recommendations for Baker and Wheeler counties awaiting her action, said the Portland Oregonian. “Nearly all of the state east of the Willamette Valley is already facing certain or likely drought this summer, and the valley is inching toward similar status. Southeastern Oregon is experiencing the worst effects, while higher snowpack levels have created slightly better conditions in parts of northeastern Oregon.”
Oregon is a top producer of soft white wheat, used in pastries, cakes and cookies. The bulk of Oregon’s wheat is exported, with Asian countries as top customers.
Some 44 percent of California is in exceptional drought, up 3 points from last week. “Continued dryness resulted in an expansion of exceptional drought in northwest California,” said the Drought Monitor.
Agriculture and food processing are two of the six industries that Fortune says are most likely to be hurt by the four-year drought. The others are semiconductors, power companies, tourism, and water utilities.