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California Declared a Drought State of Emergency

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

California Declared a Drought State of Emergency

This is no doubt not a surprise to anyone living here. Many can probably not remember the last time we had rain.

Governor Jerry Broad declared a drought emergency for California late last week, calling this possibly the worst drought on record, with much of the state in the second most severe category of drought.

Many are now calling for mandatory water conservation measures as we have seen in the past, although the San Diego County Water Authority has not yet implemented mandatory water conservation measures – but it’s only a matter of time.

Certainly many are urging residents to be very cautious about their water consumption - with showers, irrigation, and washing clothes and dishes.

The Governor is requesting a voluntary 20% reduction in water usage by all residents, but some communities are already implementing mandatory conservation measures.

The additional risk, of course, is wildfires, given how warm and dry it had been. Fires have been burning in the LA area as just one example.

We are not alone with regard to severe drought conditions, with 10 other states also in a severe drought.

You can do your part by conserving water in a number of significant ways. Check out Save Our H2O and Water Smart.

Posted by

Jeff Dowler, CRS
Certified Residential Specialist / Realtor®


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Randy Shamburger
Movement Mortgage - Greenville, SC
FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Mortgage Expert

Drought certainly will affect a lot of things. Excellent post.

Have a Big day,

Randy

Jan 20, 2014 11:10 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Jeff - I find it interesting that they don't have mandatory water conservation measures in place yet. It seems like we get that every summer here (have to water the yard on a specific day or days based on your address number).

Jan 20, 2014 11:28 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

William - for sure. You have to wonder. This is not new stuff. CA has been a state troubled off and off with drought for years and years. The Desal plant seems to be making good progress but end is still way off.

Nina - no it's not fun, and the concerns about wildfires in particular are scary. Dead grass is one thing because you are not irrigating.

Ira - yeah, and it looks like you are all getting slammed yet again. Tought winter. I would trade right now for some precipitation

Annette - and the amount of irrigation there is staggering

Sheila - I think Mother Nature has had a rip roaring time all over the country. No doubt many would prefer to have drier conditions, and less cold. I would love to see some rain

Michael - there hasn't been too much in the news until recently it seems. But we all know given how little rain there has been. And much less snow in the mountains that we need so desperately

Dan - sometimes you have to do that

Michael E - the drought is bad enough. The fires are worse. And no doubt there will be more.

Hella - the weather HAS been amazing. And we forget what it means in terms of causing. This has been brewing for a very long time.

Tammy - I remember that. I think there are a fair number of people who ARE very careful about water. Others clearly are wasters, but I suspect just don't think about it. We see it all the time with sprikler systems run awry and leaking water all over the street, or running daily, as just one example

Jeff

Jan 20, 2014 11:36 PM
Tanya Van Blake-Coleman
Van Blake-Coleman Realty, St. Thomas/www.talk-to-Tanya.com - St Thomas, VI
Improving the Quality of Your Life

Wow, I have traveled throughout this area off and on over the years. The fires in the southern part of the state are so scary to me. I hope everyone has enough water and the fires are kept under control  quickly as they erupt.

Jan 20, 2014 11:38 PM
Tom White
Franklin Homes Realty LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.FranklinHomesRealty.com - Franklin, TN
Franklin Homes Realty LLC, Franklin TN

From what I've seen, the impact of this drought could be really significant for vegetable growers in your state. That's a problem that will affect all of us throughout the country.

Jan 20, 2014 11:44 PM
Jack O'Neal
HomeSmart Elite Group - Gilbert, AZ

High fire danger and other effects of the drought will impact RE, can you keep filling your Pool, watering your lawn only the beginning, Arizona should do some thing since we are also in a drought.

Jan 21, 2014 12:09 AM
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

We seem to be an area of extremes. I remember a couple of years back where it seemed to rain every day for months on end. Heading your way tomorrow Jeff. Will I see you at C.A.R.?

Jan 21, 2014 03:15 AM
Jill Saddler
Draper, UT
Draper Utah Real Estate Professional - 25 years+!

This is scary indeed - worst drought on record? Wow...

Jan 21, 2014 03:55 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Hey Jeff, I heard about the drought - sorry to hear. We're actually having a dry winter up here so far - although, it takes a lot for us to get into drought conditions. I'm hoping Mother Nature sends you some much needed precipitation soon. Take care. D

Jan 21, 2014 03:57 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Folsom Lake on the American River is only 18% full of water. Conditions in northern California are horrible and we are in the midst of a mega drought. It's so crazy here that groups are coming together to pray at rain dances --- we can only hope people will willingly reduce usage. Stop running water in the bathroom sink when you're brushing your teeth, for example. Don't wash down your drive with the garden hose on full blast when you could sweep.

Jan 21, 2014 04:25 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Jeff, sounds like you have some of that Texas weather.

Jan 21, 2014 04:35 AM
Aaron Hofmann
Atlanta Communities - Smyrna, GA
aka Mr. Smyrna Vinings

Hadn't even noticed. Seems most of the news has been about the crazy winter weather elsewhere around the country.

Jan 21, 2014 05:27 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Yeah, and when the brilliant "so how's this for global warming" smart alecks on Facebook posted their taunts while standing in snow, I knew the wildfires and drought conditions were affecting the southwest.  It's called climate change and it's quite real.  

Jan 21, 2014 10:29 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Jeff, I haven't seen the news for a while so hadn't heard about this. I remember growing up there was always a water shortage in California.

Jan 21, 2014 11:31 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Jeff, usually we see this warning in Summer. I hope the situation gets corrected soon - need to call Lord of Rains (In India - it is Indra)

Jan 21, 2014 11:33 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Jeff, I cannot remember the last time we had rain in my area. We are having Spring like weather in the 70's. I am very concerned that Mr. Winter seems to refuse to visit California. 

Jan 21, 2014 11:35 AM
Ralph Gorgoglione
Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA
California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407

I started hand watering and have altered by sprinkler system down.

Of course 2 days later we have a power outage and I have to re-program it all over again!

Jan 21, 2014 12:34 PM
Monica Hill
RE/Max Associates - Wilmington, DE
the REALTOR to help you discover Delaware

Jeff, I've seen the pictures. It concerns me for all of you living there, for the things you need to live, for the things you produce that effect the rest of the country, too. Hope it rains soon... and that it rains in a way that replenishes rather than further damages.

Jan 21, 2014 12:34 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Jeff. My brother CA, he has been say for a while how dry it is and that it is just a matter of time that the state puts in some mandatory limits, he was right.

Make it a great day!

Jan 21, 2014 04:56 PM
Morris Massre
Pembroke Pines, FL
Real Estate Instructor Broward County Florida

Let's face it, California is mostly a desert anyway and all their water is pumped in so you have to expect this every now and then

Jan 21, 2014 11:53 PM