Drought alert extended in Missouri by governor
Governor Mike Parson said issuing a drought alert last spring was quite precedented. But since conditions haven’t improved in the state, he recently signed an executive order to extend the state’s drought alert to Sept. 1.
This action directs continued coordination of resources and combined response efforts across state government until conditions improve in drought-impacted areas.
“Unfortunately, the reality is we’re facing conditions worse now than a year ago,” Parson said. “We welcome what rain Missouri has received in recent weeks, but this drought alert will continue so long as Missouri’s farmers and ranchers are struggling from the effects of prolonged dryness and concerns persist over commercial navigation along our river ways.”
During the past year Missouri has been under a continuous drought alert since May 31, 2023, due to lack of precipitation and below normal streamflow.
According to the Missouri Drought Mitigation and Response Plan, the executive order will continue the drought alert in Missouri counties with areas experiencing moderate or greater drought conditions. It will also extend to any other county that begins experiencing drought conditions consistent with the drought plan’s phases and triggers table.
So far in 2024 Missouri has gotten fairly typical precipitation based on averages, but groundwater, streamflow and precipitation levels are not able to lift the state out of drought conditions. According to a news release from the governor’s office, as of April 25, 11 Missouri counties are experiencing severe drought, 71 counties are experiencing moderate drought, and 86 counties are experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
For more information about drought conditions in Missouri visit www.dnr.mo.gov/drought. The Department of Natural Resources is adding information on drought mitigation and assistance opportunities as it becomes available.
Drought conditions also bring with it increased risk of wildfires. For more information on how best to prevent wildfires, visit MDC’s wildfire prevention website: www.mdc.mo.gov/your-property/fire management/wildfire-prevention.
Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].
