Arkansas-Louisiana-Mississippi Drought Assessment and Building Early Warning Capacity Virtual Meetings
While typically water-rich, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi have experienced severe drought in the recent past—most notably in 2012, 2022–2023, and late 2025 into 2026. Severe drought conditions across these states can disrupt the agricultural sector by reducing productivity for row crops, poultry, and cattle, often leading to long-term financial consequences. These states also face critical infrastructure and environmental impacts, including impacts to forestry, disrupted waterway transportation, and increased risks of wildfires due to drier conditions. Additionally, hydrological resources, such as river levels and soil moisture, are frequently compromised, further straining regional economic and industrial stability.
This series of two virtual meetings, held September 29 and October 6, aimed to capture the experiences of drought across sectors in these three states, as well as the gaps, needs, and potential next steps for greater regional drought early warning capacity and resilience.
Meeting Goals
- Look back at recent drought events in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and what’s ahead for drought in the region.
- Assess the impacts, hurdles, successes, and needs experienced across sectors during recent drought events.
- Identify potential next steps toward improved drought early warning capacity in the region.
Meeting Dates & Logistics
Part 1: Drought Assessment and Building Early Warning Capacity Meeting
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CT
The virtual meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 provided an overview of recent drought conditions and breakout opportunities for those impacted by drought to share lessons learned and identify capacity building needs.
Part 2: Synthesis and Prioritization Meeting
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. CT
The second meeting on October 6, 2026 synthesized discussions and key takeaways from the September 29 meeting, with breakout opportunities to identify next steps.
Agenda
For more information, please contact Molly Woloszyn (molly.woloszyn@noaa.gov).
