Drought disaster declarations continue to climb in number

Disaster declarations are adding up across the upper Midwest thanks to drought conditions that intensified this summer. To reach disaster designation, these areas suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of D2 (severe drought) for eight or more consecutive weeks or D3 (extreme drought) or D4 (exceptional drought), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Oct. 13 the following disaster designations for the 2026 crop year: Minnesota: Two contiguous counties, Nobles and Rock. On Oct. 16, four contiguous counties were added, including Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Pipestone and Yellow Medicine. Washington County was also added as a contiguous county after St. Croix County in Wisconsin was added as a primary disaster area on Oct. 16. The USDA designated Pipestone, Rock and St. Louis counties in Minnesota as natural disaster areas due to drought conditions that persisted starting in June 2026 for these two r