Recent precipitation has helped drought intensity decrease in Iowa.

This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor Report shows Dallas, Greene, and Guthrie counties experiencing severe drought conditions, with the very southeast corner of Dallas under moderate drought. Much of the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area had previously been under extreme drought conditions for the past month. Impacts reported for Iowans in severe drought areas include extremely low yields with commodity shortages and stressed livestock, high fire danger, fewer mosquitoes observed, and low surface water levels with voluntary water conservation requested. The population of Iowans residing in drought areas is currently estimated at 1,319,934.