Drought in Maryland, July 1 to 31, 1997

A very dry month, containing one 7-day heat wave, exacerbated drought-like conditions across much of the fertile farmland of Maryland. The weather in July proved to be the death knell for much of the crop yields, including corn, hay, alfalfa, and soybeans. Agricultural states of emergency were declared in many areas west of the Chesapeake Bay. Hardest-hit counties included Carroll (MDZ005), Frederick (MDZ004), Howard (MDZ010), Montgomery (MDZ009), and Washington (MDZ003). Some of the more impressive damage estimates were as follows: in Frederick Co, nearly $9 million in corn, an approximate 90 percent loss; an additional $5.5 million in corn for silage and soybean, a 60 percent loss. In Washington Co, an estimated $8.6 million in grain and silage corn, a 70 percent loss. In Montgomery Co, $2.5 million in grain corn and $2.1 million in soybeans, a 65 percent loss. Counties on the mid and upper eastern shore, known for their extensive corn production, had losses above $10 million in grain corn alone.