People Can Prepare for Drought

People can take steps ahead of time to reduce the effects of drought, just as they would for other natural disasters. Planning ahead gives decision-makers, resource managers and citizens the chance to relieve the most suffering at the least expense. Reacting to drought in 'crisis mode' is often expensive and not well-targeted.

The National Drought Mitigation Center offers more information about planning ahead in Why Plan for Drought.

Drought Planning Saves Money and Reduces Suffering

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimated in 1995 that the nation's annual average drought loss was $6 to $8 billion. FEMA and other disaster management organizations have also estimated that for every $1 spent on reducing vulnerability to disaster -- 'mitigation' -- $4 is saved. This finding was recently reiterated in a 2005 study by the Multihazard Mitigation Council.

Drought Planning Examples

Denver Water - Colorado
Denver Water is an example of an organization that conducts thorough, open drought planning. It actively keeps customers informed of drought and water supply issues, and what steps customers may need to take to reduce use. Its Drought Response Plan is considered state-of-the-art.

Alexander Ranch - Kansas
Ted Alexander operates his ranch in Kansas as an exercise in environmental and fiscal stewardship, and has strategies to limit the negative effects of drought. He was a regional winner of the 2007 Environmental Stewardship Award Program, a program of the National Cattleman's Beef Association.