Parts of California missing out on two years' worth of rain
Digital Reporter
Friday, April 17, 2015, 7:38 PM - It can be hard to visualize the amount of water California has lost during its 4-year drought -- but a new graphic created by the National Weather Service in Phoenix, Arizona aims to draw some clarity to the situation.
The state's current drought is unprecedented in modern times. As of March 24, more than 98 percent of the region was struggling with dry conditions, with 41.1 percent in an 'exceptional' drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Approximately 37 million residents have been affected.
Since October 2011, most of the region has missed out on the equivalent of a year's worth of rain -- while some places are losing out on more than two year's worth.
While regional water restrictions have been imposed in the past, this is the first time the entire state -- which is home to about 39 million people -- has been put under the order.
Officials hope the restrictions will reduce water usage by 25 percent. Proposed initiatives include replacing 50 million square feet of city lawns with drought-tolerant foliage and requiring large landscapes like golf courses and cemeteries to cut their water use.
