Agricultural disaster declared in Parkland County, Canada as rainfall hits lowest in 50 years

Parkland County council has declared a state of agricultural disaster during the July 14th Parkland County Council meeting.

“These extreme drought conditions are devastating crops across Parkland County,” Mayor Rod Shaigec said in a news release Tuesday. “Council wants to make it clear to our agricultural community that we understand, and will provide all means of support possible. By declaring a state of agricultural disaster, we hope to call attention to this extremely important issue.”

Moisture levels in some areas of Alberta are at the lowest levels recorded in the last 50 years. In addition, crops in some areas of Parkland County are also experiencing devastation caused by grasshoppers.

Some parts of Parkland County have only received 53 mm of rain since April. The normal amount for that time period would be between 195 and 220 mm, Global News has written quoting Alberta Agriculture.

Communities covered in red are experiencing once in 50-year low soil moisture levels. The pink areas indicate once in 12 to once in 25-year events.

Photo credit: Alberta Agriculture/Global News

Parkland County will notify provincial and federal government officials of the state of Agricultural Disaster and request a disaster recovery program be set up to address this issue, Park County website added.

In 2009, at least 10 Alberta counties were under states of emergency due to extreme dry weather.

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