JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 16, 2023 – State agencies are accelerating drought response efforts in Missouri and developing resources to assist those at greatest risk of serious impacts. Reports of local conditions are a key tool in assessing the changing drought situation. The public can assist local, state and national decision makers better understand conditions in their area by submitting a survey form via the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) service at droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools/ConditionMonitoringObservations.aspx.
CMOR is an online collaborative effort to crowdsource data on ground-level drought conditions as they develop. Reports and photographs submitted through CMOR are used by state and federal officials to ensure the national drought map accurately portrays conditions in Missouri and other states. By ensuring the map’s accuracy, federal resources can be made available as soon as possible for drought-affected areas.
Governor Mike Parson on May 31 issued a Drought Alert for 60 counties from mid-Missouri to northwestern Missouri. The continuing hot, dry weather means drought conditions are expected to further degrade heading into summer. Other counties will be added to the alert and be eligible for assistance as they reach established drought thresholds.
A variety of helpful online resources are available at dnr.mo.gov/drought. The one-stop drought information website features current drought-related news, a series of Missouri drought maps and current condition reports, U.S. Drought Monitor, Missouri Drought Plan and other resources, including information on past droughts.