The snow is expected to melt and WNDU meteorologist Frank Waugh insists that the ground is still dry enough to soak up the moisture.
Pulaski County Designated Drought Disaster Area
Pulaski County has been designated as a primary disaster area by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, joining 13 other counties alongside the existing list of 50 counties considered primary natural disaster areas. The USDA on Wednesday also designated 16 contiguous counties as eligible for assistance, bringing the grand total to 80 Indiana counties that now qualify for assistance from the Farm Service Agency.
Representative Tom Dermody of LaPorte says he’s pleased that the USDA expanded their assistance to more counties, because he feels it will be critical to helping Hoosier farmers make it through next year. He says he will continue to advocate on behalf of LaPorte County to make it eligible as well for federal assistance due to the drought conditions.
Knox Mayor Urges Water Conservation
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers is asking residents to take measures to conserve water in light of worsening drought conditions that have placed the entire state under a water shortage warning.
Chambers said the average daily water use for the city is about 350,000 gallons, but for the past several weeks, over 550,000 gallons of water per day have been used. The aquifer from which three deep pumps draw water is about two feet lower than average. Chambers urges citizens to do what they can to conserve water. Residents are encouraged to restrain from watering lawns or flowers as often, and to change shower or bath habits to reduce water usage.
If adequate rainfall does not occur within the next couple of weeks, the mayor may need to restrict water usage.
Drought Continues To Devastate Local Crops
With reports of farmers throughout Indiana mowing down their crops because of irreparable damage from drought conditions, Purdue Agricultural Economist Chris Hurt says there is a reason for removing the damaged corn entirely. He says that while there is no real positive reason to do so, there are a number of possible reasons to want to have the entire crop removed.
First, he says if there is going to be no usable corn crop – that is, ears and seeds – then there is value to the stock itself for use as cattle feed. Generally, this would be chopped down and placed in silos or bailed.
Hoosiers Suffering From Most Severe Drought In Years, Experts Say
The dry conditions have put Indiana in the most severe drought Hoosiers have seen in a long time.
WKVI’s Accuweather.com Meteorologist Heather Zehr has been crunching the numbers with climatologists and while no records have been set, the amount of rainfall that fell in June was 2.25 inches below the normal June value of 3.79 inches. Only six days in June produced a measurable amount of rain with five days measuring .10 inches of precipitation. The only day that produced a greater amount was on June 28 with a half-inch of rain in that day. June was recorded as the 15th driest month on record at South Bend.
Cooler temperatures at the beginning of June helped hold the average temperature in South Bend at 71.5 degrees, which is 2.4 degrees above normal.
The entire state is experiencing drought conditions with 84 counties remaining under burn bans. The Starke County and Pulaski County Commissioners lifted the burn bans earlier this week. Officials continue to monitor the conditions.
Drought Triggers Call For Voluntary Water Conservation
This summer’s chronic hot and dry weather has not only resulted in drought conditions throughout most of Indiana, it has also prompted a call for high-capacity water facilities in 32 counties to implement voluntary water conservation measures.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security have announced plans to send notification letters to owners and operators of facilities in several counties with the capacity to withdraw 100,000 gallons or more per day.
Drought Affects Water Levels; Beware Hidden Obstructions
The drought is affecting everyone from farmers to outdoor enthusiasts.
Conservation officer Keith Wildeman said that because of the drought conditions, water levels are low in public freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams. You should be prepared to run into issues while visiting your favorite lake or river because of the low water levels.
