As of mid-July 2024, West Virginia is experiencing significant drought conditions across various regions. Many areas in the state are classified as experiencing "moderate drought," while some parts are facing "severe drought" conditions. Notably, the eastern panhandle region is experiencing severe drought. Other areas are identified as "abnormally dry," indicating less severe but still concerning dryness levels. These conditions can lead to reduced water availability, impacting agriculture and water supplies across the state.

A list of assistance programs and resources is provided below. The drought is being closely monitored, and additional assistance programs may become available. Please check back regularly for the most current updates.

Resource Links

West Virginia Current Drought Status:

West Virginia | Drought.gov

WVU Extension: Drought Management Article

Drought Management Before During and After the Drought (wvu.edu)

Natural Disaster/Drought Assistance Programs:

  1. USDA-FSA Disaster Assistance Programs

    2. USDA offers a variety of programs to help farmers, ranchers, communities, and businesses that have been hard hit by natural disaster events.

    Disaster Assistance Programs (usda.gov)

  2. USDA Protection and Recovery Programs
    Protection and Recovery Programs and Resources | Farmers.gov

West Virginia Conservation Agency

Home (wvca.us)

Cost-Share Funding to Supply Water to Livestock

 West Virginians with livestock experiencing hardship due to drought conditions are eligible to receive cost-share funding to help supply water to livestock through their local conservation districts.

 The components eligible for cost-share are: Portable water tanks, associated valves and fittings, water pumps, portable pipeline and portable water troughs.

 To meet eligibility criteria, a portion of one county within a district must have been designated a "D1" or higher classification, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. If any county has a D1 classification or higher, then any county within that conservation district is eligible for cost-share funding through the Agricultural Enhancement Exigency Program. (A list of conservation districts and contact information is below.)

 Each county affected is within a specific conservation district. Residents should contact the specific conservation district where they are experiencing drought. Ask to speak with the conservation district’s administrative specialist.

  • Barbour, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker and Upshur counties are in the Tygarts Valley Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 457-3026.
  • Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties are within the Eastern Panhandle Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 263-4376.
  • Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo and Wayne counties are within the Guyan Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 528-5718.
  • Braxton, Clay, Nicholas and Webster counties are within the Elk Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 765-2535.
  • Brooke, Hancock, Marshall and Ohio counties are within the Northern Panhandle Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 238-1231.
  • Calhoun, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood counties are within the Little Kanawha Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 422-9088.
  • Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison and Lewis counties are within the West Fork Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 627-2160.
  • Fayette, McDowell, Mercer, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties are in the Southern Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 253-0261.
  • Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral and Pendleton counties are within the Potomac Valley Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 822-5174.
  • Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas counties are within the Greenbrier Valley Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 645-6173.
  • Jackson, Mason and Putnam counties are in the Western Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 675-3054.
  • Kanawha County is within the Capitol Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 759-0736.
  • Marion, Monongalia and Preston counties are in the Monongahela Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 296-0081.
  • Pleasants, Tyler and Wetzel counties are within the Upper Ohio Conservation District, which can be reached at: (304) 758-2512.