How much water should I store for a drought?

Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of 3 days as a starting point, then work toward a 14-day supply since drought conditions can persist for weeks or months. Store in sealed, food-grade containers and date them when filled.

What is the U.S. Drought Monitor?

The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map produced by NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center that classifies drought severity by county from Abnormally Dry to Exceptional Drought. It is also used to determine eligibility for USDA disaster assistance programs.

Does drought affect my private well?

Yes. Residential wells and springs are often the first water sources to run dry during drought, since reduced rainfall lowers groundwater levels over weeks or months. Monitor your well's output and have it tested if the water changes in taste, color, or odor.

Can I still water my garden during a drought?

Follow any local water restrictions first, since they apply even if your water comes from a private well. Where watering is still allowed, prioritize established trees and shrubs over lawn, use drip irrigation or soaker hoses, water in early morning or evening to reduce evaporation, and add mulch to retain soil moisture.

Is financial help available if drought damages my crops or livestock?

Yes. When a county receives a USDA drought disaster designation, agricultural producers may be eligible for programs including the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the Emergency Conservation Program, and low-interest emergency loans. Contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency office to check eligibility.

Drought Preparedness Checklist — Before, During & After Dry Conditions

Phase 1

Before a drought. Build the habits now.

Drought builds slowly, which means the preparation window is longer than for most hazards. The households that come through best are the ones who made water conservation a habit before restrictions ever showed up.

Water

Store 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days, including pets
Work toward extending storage to the same rate for 14 days in sealed, dated containers
Identify a secondary water source, such as a water heater tank (40 to 80 gallons) or a nearby creek or collection point paired with a treatment method
Assess your property's rainwater collection potential and check your state's harvesting rules
Plan for the months your collection system produces nothing — size your stored reserve to bridge the driest season
Fix leaks now — a single dripping faucet can waste over 2,700 gallons a year

Food

Plan how your garden survives a dry season — drought-tolerant varieties, mulch, and water-efficient irrigation reduce the risk of losing a harvest

Communications

Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts on every phone in your household

Phase 2

During a drought. Conserve, prioritize, and watch conditions.

There is no single moment when a drought "hits." What matters during an active drought is cutting use where you can and paying attention to how conditions are changing around you.

Water Conservation

Follow local water restrictions exactly as issued — they apply even if your water comes from a private well
Take short showers — water only to get wet and to rinse
Run washers and dishwashers only with full loads
Reuse water where it is safe to do so, such as catching shower warm-up water for houseplants or the garden

Property and Land

Water established trees and shrubs before lawns — a lawn regrows, a mature tree does not
Raise your mower blade to at least 3 inches — a higher cut holds soil moisture better
Watch the U.S. Drought Monitor weekly for your county's current classification
Stay alert to rising wildfire risk — dry vegetation ignites and spreads faster during drought

Phase 3

After a drought. Check your systems. Keep the habits.

A drought rarely ends on a clear date. Once rain returns, the work shifts to checking what the dry period changed, and holding onto what you learned.

Well and Water Systems

Have your well tested if levels dropped significantly, or if water changed in taste, color, or odor
Note how quickly your well recovers once rain returns — a slow recovery can signal a deeper problem worth a professional look
Keep any water-hauling equipment or backup pumps maintained even after conditions improve

Recovery and Community

Photograph any drought-related property damage, such as foundation cracking or dead landscaping — most homeowner policies exclude drought, so check yours directly
If you farm or ranch, contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency office about disaster designations and emergency assistance programs
Check on elderly neighbors and anyone on a private well — they may be more exposed to water shortages than you realize
Keep your conservation habits in place — drought conditions return, and the households least affected next time are the ones who never fully stopped conserving

Gear

Still need to get equipped? Start here.

A few items do most of the work in a drought. These are the ones worth having before the dry season starts.

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Drought Preparedness Checklist. Before, during, and after.