Rain has been in short supply for over a month, but Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has adjusted the state’s drought emergency map issued last summer.
All area counties are now in a drought watch. As part of the last update in mid-August, the governor had placed Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Greenwood and Morris counties in a drought emergency, while Osage and Wabaunsee counties were in a drought warning at that time.
Governor Kelly says conditions have improved recently, but a lot of counties are still dealing with declines in water supply and resulting strains on resources. Kelly is encouraging residents across Kansas to conserve water before summer comes.
The governor’s adjustment comes as the US Drought Monitor remains stable. Virtually all of Lyon County, all of Osage County, and portions of Chase, Coffey, Greenwood and Wabaunsee counties are out of drought. The rest of the area is listed as abnormally dry.
