Illinois Climatologist Says Drought May Continue Through Next Year
(KLZA) Illinois' state climatologist says he believes the worst U.S. drought in decades likely will continue through next year.
The Belleville News-Democrat reports that Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey says "it's going to be a long, slow recovery from this particular drought." Angel spoke Thursday during a conference in St. Louis about the Mississippi River's future.
More than 60 percent of the continental U.S. has been gripped by some form of drought since last summer. More than 90 percent of Nebraska and Oklahoma were hit by extreme or exceptional drought. Those are the two worst classifications.
The drought has withered crops and lowered the Mississippi River's levels to a point that could force slowdowns, if not shutdowns, of barge traffic between St. Louis and Cairo (KEHR'-oh).
© Associated Press
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man receives Hard 25 sentence for child sex crime
Horton man arrested following weekend shooting
Hiawatha man facing sex, drug charges waives prelim hearing
Horton woman arrested on drug charges
Train strikes walking man in Jackson Co; victim survives
Two arrested Thursday in Jackson Co on meth-related charges
Power outage leads to early school dismissal
Hiawatha airport project approved
Inmate dies at Lansing Correctional Facility
Vacancy filled on USD 115 board
MO grass fire battled Thursday
Community Healthcare System hires new CEO
Falls City School Board approves personnel moves and purchases
Valley Falls' future set for Wednesday eve discussion
Mound City Mayor Duane Nauman remembered
PBPN breaks ground for new business
Sheriff issues safety reminder
USD 415 board approves bids for new HS stadium lights
Johnson-Brock School not able to accept all option-in requests
LATEST STORIES
New Atchison garden sees growth
Lancaster, County, plan weekend clean up
Effingham awarded water-related grant
Brown Co Planning Commission established
Atchison firefighter receives VFW honors
Highway 73 near Verdon NE reopened
Mound City Mayor Duane Nauman remembered
RELATED STORIES
University of Nebraska Receives Grant for Drought Risk Research Center
Rain Lessens Drought Concerns in Parts of Nebraska, Iowa
Storm System Helps Ease Drought
Disaster Declaration for Nebraska Counties Due to Drought
Drought Concerns NE Gov. Heineman
Signs Drought may be Easing in Nebraska
Humboldt Farmer Testifies at U.S. Senate Ag Committee Hearing
Drought, Crop Insurance Among Concerns of Nebraska Farm Bureau