Nearly two-thirds of Oregon now in severe drought

Oregon's drought has worsened over the past week, with all but a tiny piece of the northwest corner of the state designated at least "abnormally dry" by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The percentage of the state in "severe drought" has grown from 50 percent to 63 percent, according to the federal website, which tracks drought across the country.

The U.S. Drought Monitor has a six-level scale: no drought, abnormally dry, and moderate, severe, extreme and exceptional drought.

It puts two-thirds of California in extreme or exceptional drought, a figure that has not changed since last week.

In Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown has declared drought emergencies in seven counties, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made 20 counties eligible for drought disaster assistance.

It's the fourth-straight year of drought for the state.

tloew@statesmanjournal.com, (503) 399-6779 or follow at Twitter.com/SJWatchdog