“Pardon The Appearance of Our Lawns”: California’s Massive Drought

It’s not looking good in the Golden State right now:

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor (shown below), the entire state is currently experiencing at least “moderate drought,” with 95% feeling the effects of “severe drought.”

At the beginning of the calendar year, only 27% of Californians lived in an area of “extreme drought,” the second more dire category. That number is up to 82% today.

“Exceptional drought,” the highest register of dryness, afflicts 58% of the state. That percentage was zero on January 1.

So yes, excuse their lawns. They’ve got other things to worry about.

(Click image for higher res)

Photo credit: Kevin Cortopassi / Flickr