The entire state of California has entered a drought for the first time in 15 years, according to a report released by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). [LA Times]
The NCDC rates drought conditions on five levels of severity. All of California is now experiencing at least moderate, or second level, drought conditions. But, much of the state, including all of San Luis Obispo County has entered the highest level of drought severity, according to the NCDC report.
San Luis Obispo County is in an exceptional, or fifth level, drought. About 25 percent of the state is currently experiencing that severity of water shortage.
One year ago, no section of California had entered the NCDS’s highest ranking of drought severity.
In addition to San Luis Obispo County, the entire Central Coast, ranging from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, as well as much of the Central Valley, are now experiencing top-level drought conditions.
