Extreme drought has expanded for parts of the KVOE listening area despite heavy rainfall earlier this week.
Last week, extreme drought covered areas along and south of a line from Alma to Emporia to Neosho Rapids to New Strawn. The line now goes from Alma to Emporia, but it now bends to Melvern — meaning all of Coffey and the southern part of Osage counties are now included, along with all of Morris, most of Lyon, most of Chase and most of Greenwood counties.
Severe and moderate drought is in place for north and northeast Lyon County, most of Osage and most of Wabaunsee counties. Pockets of exceptional drought, the US Drought Monitor’s worst drought level, remain in place in central Chase and north Greenwood counties.
Area residents reported anywhere from 0.20 to over 3 inches of rainfall Tuesday morning, with a bulls-eye in southeast Lyon County.
