Parts of the United States have endured a record-level drought, leading to widespread crop losses and water shortages. The ongoing dryness has covered the largest amount of U.S. territory since the National Drought Mitigation Center began keeping records 12 years ago. Nearly 18 percent of the United States is experiencing exceptional or extreme drought, and experts say the problem is likely to get worse. Southern states, including South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Texas, have been the hardest hit.