Summers can get downright hot in Missouri, something with which most of us have learned to deal. However, this summer has thrown us a curveball with the dry temperatures thrusting Missouri into a drought. More than 90 percent of the state, in fact, is currently experiencing drought, with nearly a quarter of Missouri dealing with extreme drought.
While figures continue to evolve daily, the Missouri Department of Conservation reports, as of late July 2023, that more than 99 percent of all counties in Missouri are experiencing some form of drought. Twenty-six percent of counties throughout the central part of the state are dealing with extreme drought.
That means that nearly 3.6 million Missourians are living in an area impacted by drought. However, there are portions of several counties that aren’t seeing drought conditions.
Those include eastern St. Louis County and parts of Webster, Wright, Texas, and Ozark Counties.
April and May both saw drier than normal conditions; the weather in both months, in fact, was drier than it has been since 1988, leading to drought.
Droughts typically impact everything, including the agricultural industry, the environment, and the economy. Farmers have been hit particularly hard as crops are at risk.
Unfortunately, breaking a drought isn’t as easy as a thunderstorm or two. A thunderstorm usually results in rainwater flowing into nearby bodies of water rather than soaking into the ground. Only once an area has received sufficient soaking rainfall will the drought begin to break.
You can take a variety of water-saving measures during a drought, including taking short showers instead of baths, and only using the dishwasher and washing machine when they’re filled.
Keep up-to-date with the latest news on the drought on the official website of The Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
What precautions are you taking to deal with the drought in Missouri? Are you washing dishes by hand instead of using the dishwasher? Taking shorter showers? Let us know in the comments! Next time you're up for an outdoor adventure, how about going on a scenic hike in Missouri?
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