Drought in Trousdale, Tennessee

A continued significant lack of rainfall across Middle Tennessee during November 2016 led to worsening drought conditions throughout the region and the driest start to the fall season since 1953. Most of Middle Tennessee received less than one half of an inch of rain through November 22, which is only around 5% of the normal rainfall. As a result, severe (D2) drought conditions spread across all of Middle Tennessee by the middle of the month, with extreme (D3) drought conditions affecting most southern and eastern counties, and even exceptional (D4) drought conditions reaching Cumberland County. Effects of these drought conditions led to many forest, grass and brush fires throughout Middle Tennessee, although no homes, businesses, or other buildings were reportedly burned. Agriculture also continued to suffer losses, and many area lakes and rivers were at unusually low levels for the time of year.

On November 23 and again on November 29-30, separate storm systems brought several inches of significant rainfall to the region, which began to ease drought conditions in many areas.