The largest national footprint of D4 (“exceptional drought”) in the 12-year history of the U.S. Drought Monitor occurred in July. In Texas “exceptional drought” covers more than 75 percent (201,436 sq mi) of the state. This area is larger than the entire Northeast climate region (196,224 sq mi). Drought conditions are so harsh in some locations that it would take as much as 20 inches of precipitation in one month to end the drought. Conditions in Oklahoma are also dire, with 100 percent of the state suffering from D1-D4 (Moderate-Exceptional) drought. At the beginning of the water year (9/28/2010), drought conditions (D1-D4) covered only four percent of the state.
What a complete crock. NOAA has detailed drought records going back to at least 1900.
http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/cmb/drought/historical-palmers/
Compare July, 2011 to July, 1934. In 1934, 80% of the US was under moderate to extreme drought. In 2011, more of the country is wetter than normal than is drier than normal.
Why is our government lying to us?