The extreme drought now affects more than 60% of the United States, leaving the worst-hit Midwestern states thirsty for water and hankering for relief.
Drought Across Much of U.S. Leaves Crops Withered and Landscapes Burnt
Larry Schwarm for TIME
July 19, 2012. In Ness County, Kan., pastures are covered with native buffalo grass, which normally would be green throughout the summer. This grass is named because it once supported the great herds of buffalo that roamed the Great Plains. Its tolerance to prolonged droughts and to extreme temperatures enables it to survive harsh environmental conditions.
