Illinois Gov . Pat Quinn calls it a `` natural disaster of epic proportions '' Nearly 70 % of the U.S. is in some state of drought , a climate agency says . The National Drought Mitigation Center said that as many as 40 million people could be affected by severe droughts and floods this year. The area in severe drought jumps to nearly 32 % from 23 % the month before .
Illinois Gov . Pat Quinn calls it a `` natural disaster of epic proportions '' Nearly 70 % of the U.S. is in some state of drought , a climate agency says . The 55 % in moderate or worse drought is worst since 1956 , agency says . The area in severe drought jumps to nearly 32 % from 23 % the month before .