© 2024 KMUW
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stories focused on energy & environment topics throughout the state of Kansas.

Most Of Kansas Drought-Free After Heavy Rains

United States Drought Monitor
Drought conditions remain severe in parts of northeastern Kansas.

Kansas' long drought is fading.

Drought covered more than 80 percent of Kansas in April. Now the National Weather Service says most of the state is drought-free.

Still, the dry conditions remain severe in parts of northeastern Kansas.

"We've been behind as much as almost 10 inches to 12 inches of rainfall," said John Woynick at the National Weather Service's Topeka office. "That's really taken a toll on anybody that's growing things or people's yards."

In July, the state said every county in Kansas was suffering from, or nearly suffering from, a drought. Since then, about half have seen their drought status improve with the other half keeping their emergency drought status.

Stephan Bisaha, based at KMUW in Wichita, is an education reporter for the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KMUW, Kansas Public Radio, KCUR and High Plains Public Radio covering health, education and politics. Follow him on Twitter @SteveBisaha. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to the original post.