Recent Rains Continue to Alleviate Drought Conditions in North Iowa

Drought conditions across northeast Iowa continue to improve.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Iowa, there are no areas of the region in severe or extreme drought for the first time in almost a year. 

Based on precipitation through 7 am Tuesday, May 21, all of Floyd, Chickasaw, Bremer, Fayette, Howard, Mitchell, and Buchanan counties are now rated in the D1/moderate drought category. Most of Butler, Clayton, Cerro Gordo and Worth counties are also now in D1/moderate drought.

About three-quarters of Franklin County is in moderate drought, with the western third of the county progressing to the D0 category for abnormally dry. The northeast third of Winneshiek County and northern three-quarters of Allamakee County are also rated abnormally dry, with the remainder of those counties in moderate drought.