JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 5, 2018 - The U.S. Drought Monitor map was updated yesterday and is on the department’s drought website at https://dnr.mo.gov/drought.htm.
The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates 66.69 percent of the state is experiencing dry or drought conditions. This is an increase of 3.34 percent from last week. Thirty-one counties remain in D2 or greater status. Three counties remain in D4 status. Twelve counties remain in D3 status. Sixteen counties remain in D2 status. Forty counties no longer are in D2 or greater status.
D4 conditions continue in portions of Clay, Jackson and Platte counties.
D3 conditions exist in portions of Andrew, Boone, Caldwell, Callaway, Cole, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Livingston, Moniteau and Nodaway counties.
D2 conditions exist in portions of Buchanan, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clinton, Cooper, Harrison, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Macon, Morgan, Ray, Sullivan and Worth counties.
Counties no longer in D2 or greater status include Adair, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Benton, Cedar, Christian, Clark, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Hickory, Holt, Jasper, Knox, Laclede, Lawrence, Lewis, Maries, McDonald, Mercer, Monroe, Newton, Osage, Pettis, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, St. Clair, Stone, Taney, Webster and Wright counties.
In response to drought conditions in Missouri, Governor Parson made emergency water access available for family farms at 28 Department of Conservation areas and five Department of Natural Resources state parks. Read more and locate water hauling access areas and contact information for individual sites online at https://dnr.mo.gov/droughtresources.htm. Additional information about agriculture and drinking water assistance and resources is also available on the website.
Reports and photos are essential tools used in the assessment of drought conditions. As drought conditions continue, citizens are strongly encouraged to report livestock stress, crop damage and low water in ponds and streams by submitting information using the Missouri Extension Drought Impact Reporter online at https://bit.ly/2OdCcHd. Information will be used to assess conditions in each county and to inform drought maps provided by U.S. Drought Monitor for Missouri (https://bit.ly/2C2nm4j).
A map is available that provides drought condition reports and photos that were submitted by citizens. A pictures tab is available for easily locating reports that contain photos. The Experimental Missouri Drought Conditions & Impacts Map is online at http://arcg.is/0Xrvy4.
A photo gallery, organized in folders by county, also is available online at https://bit.ly/2MHHjlS.