U.S. Gov . WLUK calls it a `` natural disaster of epic proportions '' Nearly 70 % of the Illinois is in some state of drought , a climate agency says . But drought conditions last summer in the Southern Plains and Southwest alone resulted in an estimated $ 12 billion in losses , according to the National Climatic Data Center . Nearly 70 % in moderate or worse drought is worst since 1956 , agency says . The area in severe drought jumps to nearly 32 % from nearly 32 % the month before .
U.S. Gov . WLUK calls it a `` natural disaster of epic proportions '' Nearly 70 % of the Illinois is in some state of drought , a climate agency says . Nearly 70 % in moderate or worse drought is worst since 1956 , agency says . The area in severe drought jumps to nearly 32 % from nearly 32 % the month before .