The record
Everything the slot carries, as measured. Series arrays are drawn above and listed here in full.
| event_type | Drought |
|---|---|
| ncei_event_id | 5,718,564 |
| episode_id | 2,412,518 |
| begin_utc | 1999-08-01T05:00:00+00:00 |
| end_utc | 1999-09-01T04:59:00+00:00 |
| state | VIRGINIA |
| cz_type | Z |
| cz_name | CULPEPER |
| deaths_direct | 0 |
| deaths_indirect | 0 |
| injuries_direct | 0 |
| injuries_indirect | 0 |
| damage_crops | 5.2M |
| wfo_source | NEWSPAPER |
| episode_narrative | High pressure was the dominant weather feature across Northern Virginia through the 24th of August. Most rain producing storm systems steered north of the region through the period. This resulted in the continuation of the climatological, meteorological, and hydrological drought which has plagued the area since last summer. Heavy rain fell east of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the 25th and 27th, helping to fill surface reservoirs. Unfortunately, because most of the rain fell in the form of thunderstorm downpours, most of the moisture ran off into rivers before it had the chance to seep into the aquifer supply. Groundwater reserves remained unaffected and wells and springs remained short of water. High temperatures were at or above 90 degrees through the 19th then cooled into the 70s and 80s for the remainder of the month. By the 26th of August the Palmer Drought Index, a measure of long term drought conditions, indicated Northern Virginia was in an extreme drought. From September 1998 through August 1999 precipitation was a staggering 8 to 14 inches below average. August rainfall totalled 5.46 inches at Dulles Airport in Loudoun County, 1.49 inches above normal. However 4.38 inches of this total fell on the 25th and 26th. Reagan National Airport in Arlington reported a monthly total of 5.02 inches, 1.11 inches above normal. However, 3.40 inches of this total fell on the 25th and 26th. Charlottesville reported a monthly total of 4.01 inches. Additional August rainfall totals included Fairfax County at 4.5 inches, Albemarle County at 3.3 inches, Shenandoah and Spotsylvania Counties at 2.7 inches, Clarke County at 3.6 inches, Warren County at 2.0 inches, Rockingham and Frederick Counties at 2.7 inches, Orange County at 3.1 inches, Augusta and Nelson Counties at 2.5 inches, Page County at 3.0 inches, and Culpeper County at 2.4 inches. The lack of rainfall through the third week of August continued to affect water levels along the Potomac River, the main water source for extreme northern Virginia. The flow of water past Washington D.C. was below average for the 12th consecutive month. During August, the average daily flow of the river was only 11% of average. Many upstream tributaries also reported extremely low water levels. Stations in several other watersheds reported streamflow of 10 to 30 percent below normal. Water was released from the Jennings Randolph Reservoir in the headwaters of the Potomac River on the 11th to boost water levels, leaving the reservoir at 78% of capacity. The Shenandoah River dropped to less than 15% of its normal flow equalling 10 year flow levels. Happy Creek, which usually fulfils 30% of the water demand in Front Royal, and Holman's Creek in Southern Shenandoah County from Forestville to Quicksburg ran dry. The water level in Charlottesville's urban ring supply was 77% of capacity. The water level at Lake Manassas was 5 feet below capacity. Lake Pelham in Culpeper County was 1 foot below normal. Warrenton's two reservoirs were at 71% of capacity. Frederick County's main water supply, a quarry west of Stephens City was down 30 feet from the level recorded one year ago. The Ni Reservoir, main water source of Spotsylvania County, was 37% below capacity. Harrisonburg's main water source, Switzer Dam, was 12 feet below capacity and Beaverdam Reservoir in Loudoun County was 13 feet below capacity. The Staunton city dam reported water levels down 6 feet. In Rockingham County, 400 wells went dry and Grottoes municipal wells reported a 3 foot drop during the month. With such low water tables, many communities continued voluntary water restrictions. Some locations such as Eastern Loudoun, Madison, Spotsylvania, and Greene Counties instituted mandatory restrictions. Many residents away from the Washington D.C. suburbs and larger cities became dependent on water deliveries after wells dried up. The lack of precipitation continued to devastate the agricultural community. Augusta, Bath, Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Rockingham, Madison, Orange, Greene, Loudoun, and Shenandoah Counties were declared federal drought disaster areas during the month. Across Northern Virginia several crops such as corn and soybeans never reached maturity, trees prematurely shed leaves and fruit in orchards, pasture land became nearly non-existent, and watering holes and irrigation sources dried up. 55% of pasture land, 39% of corn, 23% of soybeans, 28% of apples, and 71% of non-alfalfa hay crops across the state were reported in poor or very poor condition. Corn that should have been over 6 feet high was only chest-high at best. Farmers reduced herd sizes in many cases in order to stretch hay and water supplies. Nelson County reported the drought cost farmers $855,000, citing 50-70% losses in corn, hay, and pasture land. Madison County reported $4 million in losses, and Albemarle County reported $8.4 million in damages. Other county losses included Orange at $10 million, Highland at $7 million, Rockingham at $2 million, Warren at $1.7 million, Greene at $1.5 million, and Stafford at $1 million. Culpeper County reported $3.2 million in crop losses and $2 million in livestock losses. Hay production in Prince William County was cut by 65%. Fauquier County lost 50 to 75% of corn and alfalfa crops. Stafford County lost 80% of pastures, 75% of hay, 65% of corn, and 40% of soybeans to the drought. Frederick and Warren Counties estimated pasture land losses of up to 70%. Warren County also reported a 20% loss of the peach and apple harvest, a 20% loss of Christmas tree acreage, and significant losses of corn and hay. Shenandoah County lost 77% of their corn crop, Loudoun and Culpeper Counties lost 50%, Page County lost 73%, and Rockingham County lost 68%. Augusta County reported a near loss of soybeans and an 85% reduction in pasture lands. In addition, Frederick County Parks and Recreation Department lost 75 mature white pine trees at a park on U.S. 11 North because of the drought.In addition to agricultural lands, forests and rural vegetation was also dangerously dry. The Virginia Department of Forestry reported a record fire season January through August, 1444 fires burning 9373 acres. Spotsylvania, Orange, Clarke, and Stafford Counties instituted mandatory burning bans during the month. Madison County recorded 31 fires since January 1st, double the normal recorded during a "bad" year. The Cumulative Severity Index, a measure of fire danger which ranges from 1 to 800, listed Northern Virginia a rating of 650 prior to the 26th of August and 500 by month's end. |
| year | 1,999 |
Provenance
This slot's source list is not carried on the manifest row; open the dossier below.
Storage: spine