Governor Parson Extends Drought Alert To March 1st

Citing continued severe and extreme drought conditions across several parts of the state, Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced Monday that his executive order declaring a drought alert would be extended three months.  The order, first declared in July, directed several state agencies to coordinate assistance to at least 53 counties impacted by severe or worse drought conditions according to the weekly US Drought Monitor.  Parson noted that severe or extreme drought remains for a sixth of Missouri, including parts of 36 counties, impacting livestock as well as navigation along the state’s waterways.  Another 71.25 percent of the state is in moderate drought or abnormal dryness; should another county enter severe drought, the governor’s executive order would immediately take effect there.

Parson’s office reminds Missourians that they can submit information about local drought conditions through the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports tool on the Drought Monitor’s website.