Drought in Maryland, September 1 to 21, 1999

The drought that gripped the Middle Atlantic States throughout much of the growing season eased in mid August. Normal, and in some cases, heavier than normal rainfall returned. On September 1st Governor Parris N. Glendening lifted the mandatory watering and open burning restrictions across the Eastern Shore. About a week later watering restrictions were either loosened or lifted completely in Elkton, North East and Rising Sun (all Cecil County). The drought for all intents and purposes ended with the arrival of the unprecedented rain associated with Hurricane Floyd on the 16th. As much as 14 inches of rain (or about 4 months worth of normal rainfall) fell from Floyd across the Eastern Shore. The drought emergency was lifted by Governor Glendening on the 21st. The heavy rain came too late to help farmers. Agricultural losses throughout the state of Maryland were estimated at around 100 million dollars: 75 million from crop losses and another 25 million from the drop in crop prices from 1998. The 1999 corn harvest of 34 million bushels was 9.6 million bushels less than 1998 and the smallest since 32.8 million bushels in 1993. The soybean harvest of 11.7 million bushels in 1999 was 2.6 million bushels less than 1998 and the smallest harvest since 9.2 million bushels in 1987. The drought also greatly affected pastures and produced a later and smaller than usual pumpkin crop.