Missouri’s drought conditions have suddenly improved, thanks to last week’s heavy rains and flooding.
The latest Drought Monitor map from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln now shows a majority of Missouri’s land mass, 56.18%, is no longer experiencing drought conditions of any kind. A week ago, only 27.7% of Missouri was drought-free.
Two areas of severe drought in northeastern and southeastern Missouri have been downgraded to moderate drought, which is currently the highest drought rating anywhere in the Show-Me State. Other areas in southern, eastern, northern, and northwestern Missouri are rated as abnormally dry, the lowest rating.
Several rivers and streams across Missouri are currently under flood warnings. That includes the Missouri River at several locations from east of Lexington through Jefferson City, Hermann, Washington, and St. Charles. Flood warnings are also in effect for several rivers that flow into the Missouri, including the Osage River east of Jefferson City and the Meramec River in Jefferson County.
Flood warnings are in effect as well for the Mississippi River from Hannibal to Saverton and from Jefferson County in the St. Louis metro to south of Cape Girardeau.
