Resolution 7478 hazard mitigation

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2024 Hennepin County All -Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan Volume 2 — Hazard Inventory being drier than average. 4.3.8.7. Historical Data Bld Perhaps the most devastating weather driven event in American History, the drought of the 1920's and 1930's significantly impacted Minnesota's economic, social, and natural landscapes. Abnormally dry and hot growing season weather throughout the better part of two decades turned Minnesota farm fields to dust and small lakes into muddy ponds. The parched soil was easily taken up by strong winds, often turning day into night. The drought peaked with the heat of the summer of 1936, setting many high temperature records that still stand today. One of the most significant droughts to affect the County was the drought of 1976-1977. The 1976-77 drought was widespread and by some measures was exceeded only by the severity of conditions during the 1930's. In spring of 1976, the general lack of precipitation was statewide. Shallow residential and farm wells began to go dry in June. Some municipalities also were affected. Precipitation continued to be much less than normal for the rest of 1976 and gradually returned to normal during the summer of 1977. Minnesota's State Climatology Office records show the precipitation total for the Twin Cities to be 16.50 inches, well below the 27-inch average (based on the Twin Cities Monthly & Yearly Twin Cities Total Average). Another severe drought that had an impact on Hennepin County was the drought of 1988. A nationwide event, the Drought of 1988 intensified in June with Minneapolis receiving only 0.22 inches of rain, making it the driest June ever recorded in the metro area. The June average temperature for Minneapolis was 74.4 degrees Fahrenheit, which equaled the second warmest June ever. Statewide temperatures ranged from 6 to 9 degrees above normal. By the end of June most of the state was classified as either in "severe" or "extreme" drought. The drought continued into July with temperatures six degrees above normal in Minneapolis and rainfall 1.5 to 3 inches below normal. Soil moisture levels reached record lows at most University of Minnesota Experiment Stations. In the Minneapolis area, maximum temperatures of 90 degrees or greater were recorded 17 days, a record high for July. Most locations reported maximum temperatures exceeding 100 degrees at least once during the month. By August, the drought began to subside but not after severe agricultural damage was caused and several records were broken across Hennepin County and the State of Minnesota including: • June precipitation averaged 1.40 inches statewide, replacing the old record low of 1.50 inches set in 1910. • May through August average temperature at 69.7 degrees was nearly 2 degrees higher than the old record set in 1936. • Minneapolis -St. Paul Airport had 44 days with 90 degrees or more. The old record has been 36 days in 1936. • The Palmer Drought Index dropped below -7 in northwest Minnesota for the first time since record keeping began at the turn-- of -the -century. The old record had been -6 in September 1934. • Groundwater levels throughout the state reached new record low levels. • The Mississippi River at St. Paul reached low levels previously experienced only in 1934 and 1976, prompting the first total sprinkling ban in Minneapolis and St. Paul. 145