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Extreme Drought Area Expands

Photo courtesy U.S. Drought Monitor

Though much of the Lakes Region got some much-needed rain early Thursday morning, the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor still shows extreme drought for much of the area.

With most of the data collected prior to the rain, the latest map shows Extreme Drought, the next to highest level listed by the monitor covers all of the western and most of the central parts of the Lakes Region, including Barry, Stone, and Taney Counties in Missouri along with Boone, Carroll, Madison, and Newton Counties in Arkansas. Most of the eastern part of the region including Missouri’s Ozark County with Marion and Searcy Counties in Arkansas are at a Severe Level. 

The summary indicates very dry conditions with numerous burn bans in the region along with low river and stream levels. Area officials say more rain is needed to reduce the fire risk. 

More rain is in the forecast with several days of rain predicted starting Saturday afternoon. 
 

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