Drought information statements provide up-to-date reports on the current drought situation for a Weather Forecast Office’s county warning and forecast area. 

The workshop will provide guidance on developing or updating local hazard mitigation plans to meet the requirements for FEMA assistance. NIDIS will talk about drought as one hazard that should be considered during the planning effort, highlight data and resources on the U.S. Drought Portal to aid planners in their drought risk assessment, and join a panel on Federal Resources for Hazard Planning. 

Joel Lisonbee, Molly Woloszyn, and Marina Skumanich with the CPO-led National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) developed a literature review to synthesize the research to date and provide a basis for future research on flash droughts. Specifically, they focused on documenting the range of definitions of “flash drought” being proposed in the research community.

The assessment focuses on conditions and sector impacts as a resource for future management of drought and other climate extremes.

The project will enhance the soil moisture monitoring network in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida and improve the application of soil moisture data to decision making in the region.