Despite moderate to isolated heavy rainfall earlier this week, the US Drought Monitor’s weekly update map didn’t change.
Extreme drought still covers an area along and south of a line from Alma to Emporia to Neosho Rapids to New Strawn, with pockets of exceptional drought in central Chase and northern Greenwood counties. Severe to moderate drought is north of the Alma-Emporia-Neosho Rapids-New Strawn line.
Area residents got anywhere from half an inch to two inches of rainfall Monday, ahead of the Drought Monitor’s weekly data collection deadline on Tuesdays.
Lyon and most surrounding counties remain in a drought emergency as announced by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly last month. Chase County residents served by Public Wholesale Water District 26, including Cottonwood Falls, Strong City and Chase County Rural Water District 1, are in a water warning and the county is in a nearly-total burn ban until further notice.
