439 AXUS71 KILN 051008 DGTILN INC155-KYC041-187-121015- Drought Information Statement National Weather Service Wilmington OH 603 AM EDT Sat Oct 5 2019 ...Severe Drought has developed in portions of southeast Indiana and northern Kentucky... SYNOPSIS... Excessive heat and very dry September conditions have lead to drought rapidly spreading from central and eastern Kentucky into Carroll and Owen counties in Kentucky and Switzerland County Indiana. SUMMARY OF IMPACTS... In Kentucky, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, in collaboration with the State Climatologist and the Kentucky Drought Mitigation Team, have issued a Level 2 drought declaration for 78 counties in Kentucky, including Carroll. A Level 2 drought declaration alerts citizens that there may be severe impacts to water-sensitive activities, depletion of water supplies in shallow wells, springs, and ponds, increased risk and incidence of wildfire, and potential difficulty in treating water. Owen County was declared a Level 1 drought, which is defined by the state as primarily affecting soil moisture and vegetative health, although wildfire risk is increased and abnormally low streamflows are observed. In addition to some low crop yields and losses, severely diminished pasture conditions have lead to limited fall grazing and may force farmers to use winter hay ahead of schedule. There is also increased potential of farmers needing to haul water for livestock. Similar conditions are possible in Switzerland County Indiana. Local streamflows in southeast Indiana and portions of northern Kentucky are at about 10 percent of normal. Calculated soil moisture rankings are at or below 20 percent. In addition to pasture impacts, there have been reports of tree stress. In addition to local crop, pond and soil moisture impacts, the increased heat and lack of rain has contributed to the issuance of a harmful algal bloom recreational public health advisory along the Ohio River between Louisville and Greenup. The Kentucky Division of Water and Kentucky Department for Public health recommend that swimming, wading and water activities that create spray are not recommended. DROUGHT MITIGATION ACTIONS... While burn bans are in place for all of northern Kentucky and much of southeast Indiana, at the time of this issuance, there were no known water restrictions in the severe drought area. LOCAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK... At the time of this issuance, rain of up to 1 to 2 inches is possible in much of the affected area Sunday into Monday. Dry and slightly warmer than normal temperatures are expected for mid-week, then another chance of rain by Friday. Outlook for the next 8 to 14 days: Temperatures near normal. Precipitation near normal. NEXT ISSUANCE DATE... This product will be updated on November 5 or sooner if necessary in response to significant changes in conditions. && RELATED WEB SITES... Information on current drought conditions may be found at the following web addresses... U.S. Drought Monitor...http://www.drought.gov Climate Prediction Center /CPC/...http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov Ohio Burn laws...http://forestry.ohiodnr.gov/burninglaws Indiana Drought Information...https://www.in.gov/drought/ Indiana Burn Bans...https://www.in.gov/dhs/burnban/ Kentucky AG Weather Center... http://wwwagwx.ca.uky.edu/drought.html Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet... eec.ky.gov ADDITIONAL RIVER INFORMATION NWS...https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=iln USGS...http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/ USACE Louisville... http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/wc/reports/lkreport.html USACE Huntington... http://www.lrh-wc.usace.army.mil/wm/?basin ACKNOWLEDGMENTS... The Drought Monitor is a multi-agency effort involving the National Weather Service and National Centers for Environmental Information...the USDA...state and regional center climatologists and the National Drought Mitigation Center. Information for this statement has been gathered from NWS and FAA observation sites... state cooperative extension services...the USDA...USACE and USGS. CONTACT INFORMATION... If you have any questions or comments about this drought information statement...please contact... National Weather Service 1901 South St. Rte. 134 Wilmington OH 45177 Phone...937-383-0031 iln.webmaster@noaa.gov $$