Southeast Flash Drought Assessment
Research Team Members
Objective:
To understand where and when flash droughts most impact Southeastern agriculture and to capture firsthand lessons and gaps identified by regional drought stakeholders during the 2023 drought to improve monitoring and communication in future events.
Approach:
The project uses a multi-metric flash drought detection framework aligned with crop growth stages to map agricultural vulnerability. Simultaneously, it collects and synthesizes feedback from drought decision-makers across the Southeast to identify key monitoring, communication, and coordination challenges revealed during the 2023 flash drought. Outreach tools and future-facing guidance will be co-developed with partners like NIDIS and SE DEWS.
Impact:
By aligning drought detection with crop sensitivity, this work highlights hotspots of agricultural risk. It also translates on-the-ground lessons from the 2023 flash drought into actionable recommendations to strengthen regional resilience. Outcomes will help shape future NIDIS tools, communication strategies, and decision-support resources across the Southeast.Abstract:
Flash droughts emerge rapidly and can devastate crops and pastures before traditional drought tools detect them. This project assesses how often flash droughts align with critical crop growth stages, identifying regional agricultural vulnerabilities. It also draws from real-world experiences of Southeastern drought decision-makers, gathered through surveys and direct engagement following the 2023 drought. Their insights revealed gaps in communication, coordination, and monitoring. The project bridges these findings with new flash drought detection methods to develop targeted tools, outreach products, and recommendations aimed at improving preparedness across the region.