The Raccoon River Valley, and much of Iowa, continues to struggle with drought conditions.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, released by the National Climatic Data Center; Dallas, Greene and Guthrie Counties are still experiencing extreme drought conditions.

Thankfully this past week Mother Nature stepped in and offered some immediate relief in the form of precipitation.

According to the National Weather Service, so far this month Perry has received 2.6 inches of rain, one tenth of an inch over the recorded normal monthly tota.  Jefferson has exceeded their normal October rainfall total, receiving just under 3.2 inches of rain so far this month, compared to the usual 2.4 inches.  And Guthrie Center has had just under 2.5 inches of rain so far, just under their normal amount of 2.6 inches.