Facing Future Droughts: Lessons From the Southeast’s 2023 Fall Drought

This document was developed in response to a growing regional interest to better understand how drought, especially flash drought, affects the Southeastern United States, and how the region can more effectively monitor, communicate, and respond to evolving conditions. The 2019 flash drought exposed critical gaps in early warning and monitoring systems, sparking conversations that continued during the 2022 Southeast Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) Regional Meeting. These discussions highlighted a shared desire among partners to learn from recent drought events and improve coordination across state and sector lines.