Drought Information Statement for southeast Mississippi, southwest Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle Valid: November 20, 2025 This product will be updated December 18, 2025 (or sooner) if drought conditions change significantly All currently available products: drought.gov/drought-information-statements (https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements) Previous local statements: weather.gov/mob/DroughtInformationStatement (https://www.weather.gov/mob/DroughtInformationStatement) Regional Drought Status Updates: https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates (https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates) DROUGHT WORSENS OVER THE CENTRAL GULF COAST INTERIOR Extreme drought shrinks over portions of the interior. Severe drought persists over the eastern zones, to up across U.S. Highway 84. U.S. Drought Monitor Latest U.S. Drought Monitor (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/data/png/current/current_huc03_trd.png) for the Southeast US and central Gulf Coast Drought Intensity and Extent: D3 (Extreme Drought): Northeast Choctaw Co. Alabama. D2 (Severe Drought): Much of the area along and north of U.S Highway 84, southward to Brewton to Andalusia Alabama extending into northeast Santa Rosa to much of Okaloosa Co.’s in Florida. D1 (Moderate Drought): Much of interior southeast Mississippi, much of the remainder of southwest Alabama and the northwest Florida Panhandle. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Southern Wayne Co. in Mississippi. Much of Washington into southern Clarke Co.’s in Alabama. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Latest 1-week change map (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/data/chng/png/current/current_huc03_chng_1W.png) for the Southeast US and central Gulf Coast One Week Drought Monitor Class Change: Drought Worsened: A one class degradation appeared over Greene, Perry and Stone Co.’s in Southeast Mississippi. No Change: The remainder of the local area. Precipitation Summary of conditions and impacts: Over the past month, areas along and north of Interstate 10 has experienced a long duration of precipitation deficits, ranging from around 25 to 50% of normal. These deficits have played a large role in continuing higher intensity drought conditions. Summary of Impacts See Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) (https://droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools/ConditionMonitoringObservations.aspx) and Drought Impacts Reporter (https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/46afe627bb60422f85944d70069c09cf) Hydrologic Impacts The US Geological Survey (USGS) indicates stages on nearly all local river and/or stream points are at below to much below normal levels. Rivers and streams that are experiencing lower water levels, will likely result in what is typically deeply submerged objects being likely closer to the water’s surface or in some cases exposed, presenting a waterway hazard for safe recreational boating and commercial navigation. Agricultural Impacts Crop condition in the driest of areas is very poor. Crop disease and insect damage elevated. Pasture lands provide little to no livestock feed. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition. Hardness of ground increases difficulty of plowing, resulting in a higher frequency of plow blades becoming dull adding to the expense for change outs. Fire Hazard Impacts The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise ID calls for the remainder of November to be at above normal risk for wildland fire for the central and southern sections of Alabama and all of the western Florida Panhandle. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged until conditions improve. For counties under burn bans, penalties for burning will likely result in hefty fines. Mitigation Actions Water conservation techniques are strongly encouraged in drought areas. Please refer to your municipality and/or your water provider for mitigation information. Local water restriction ordinances may be in place. To view the most current stages and flow for each state’s, stream and river points, please visit: MS: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=ms&m=real (https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=ms&m=real) AL: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=al&m=real (https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=ms&m=real) FL: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=fl&m=real (https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=ms&m=real) Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Summary of conditions and impacts: Stages on nearly all local river and/or stream points are at below to much below normal levels. Rivers and streams that are experiencing lower water levels will likely result in what is typically deeply submerged objects being likely closer to the water’s surface or in some cases exposed. Waterway hazards are increased for safe recreational boating and commercial navigation. Summary of conditions and impacts: The deep south is reflecting widespread soil moisture deficiencies by large percentages. Leads to poor crop health. Supplemental feeding likely required to maintain livestock. Hardness of ground increases difficulty of plowing, resulting in a higher frequency of plow blades becoming dull adding to the expense for change outs. It is recommended that farmers reach out to local USDA office for details on available funding assistance. Agricultural Impacts Summary of conditions and impacts: It’s important to note that in the event of strong cold frontal passages, periods of critically low daytime humidity in combination with gusty northerly winds will bring periods of increased wildfire potential. The remainder of November will be at above normal risk of wildland fire potential over the central Gulf coast. Know the law before burning. Latest Burn Bans and/or Advisories By State: Mississippi: https://www.mfc.ms.gov/ (https://www.mfc.ms.gov/) Alabama: https://forestry.alabama.gov/ (https://forestry.alabama.gov/) Florida: https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire (https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire) Fire Hazard Impacts Wildfire Potential Outlooks (https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive-services/outlooks) from the National Interagency Coordination Center 7-Day Precipitation Forecast Summary of conditions and impacts: Rainfall the next 7-Days could add up to between 1 to 2 inches primarily west of I-65. Although these rainfall amounts will be beneficial in the shorter term, little improvement in drought intensity is anticipated. Long-Range Outlooks Summary of conditions and impacts: Looking ahead, the outlook for needed rainfall to alleviate drought conditions is slim at best. Below normal precipitation is favored over the deep south through January 2026. Latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC (https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/) webpage Drought Outlook Latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC (https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/) webpage Summary of conditions and impacts: Drought conditions look to persist with a firm grip the next three months over much of the local area.