Pictures of Californias’ severe drought are impressive. In May, 100% of California was experiencing “severe” drought — the third harshest on a five-level scale — but since things have leveled off, that figure has only improved to 99.8%, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report. Â Meanwhile, nearly 82% of California continues to suffer “extreme” drought, and within that area, more than half the state is under the driest “exceptional” drought category.