This paper evaluates the effectiveness of various drought indices in assessing the severity of droughts, focusing on meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural droughts. The authors apply six weighted criteria—robustness, tractability, transparency, sophistication, extendability, and dimensionality—to rank these indices. Two test regions, the Willamette Valley and North Central Oregon, are chosen for their distinct precipitation regimes and agricultural activities. The evaluation covers indices such as precipitation anomalies, rainfall deciles, Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), total water deficit, Palmer Hydrological Drought Severity Index (PHDI), Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI), Crop Moisture Index (CMI), and Palmer Moisture Anomaly Index (Z index). The SPI, rainfall deciles, and total water deficit are found to be the most useful for meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural drought assessments, respectively. The paper highlights the limitations and strengths of each index, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding and selecting appropriate drought indices.This paper evaluates the effectiveness of various drought indices in assessing the severity of droughts, focusing on meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural droughts. The authors apply six weighted criteria—robustness, tractability, transparency, sophistication, extendability, and dimensionality—to rank these indices. Two test regions, the Willamette Valley and North Central Oregon, are chosen for their distinct precipitation regimes and agricultural activities. The evaluation covers indices such as precipitation anomalies, rainfall deciles, Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), total water deficit, Palmer Hydrological Drought Severity Index (PHDI), Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI), Crop Moisture Index (CMI), and Palmer Moisture Anomaly Index (Z index). The SPI, rainfall deciles, and total water deficit are found to be the most useful for meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural drought assessments, respectively. The paper highlights the limitations and strengths of each index, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding and selecting appropriate drought indices.