Southern Plains Drought Early Warning System 2021–2025 Strategic Action Plan

The development of the Southern Plains Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) was initiated in 2011 during a record-setting drought across the southern tier of the United States. From 2010–2015, drought persisted throughout parts of the region, impacting portions of Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. This drought cost several billion dollars and was considered a major disaster for the region. Today, the Southern Plains region continues to face challenges brought about by drought and other extreme weather events that significantly affect communities and local economies. The Southern Plains DEWS provides leaders across sectors and levels of government with timely information on drought conditions, forecasted outlooks, and impacts to engender better informed and more timely decisions.

The Southern Plains DEWS 2021–2025 Strategic Action Plan is designed to set priorities and suggest measurable actions that can create value in this drought-prone region, with the ultimate goal of making stakeholders across the region more resilient during times of drought.