Drought

Produce was not abundant at the first Farmers' Market in Coldwater and mostly sold out in the first hour. Farmers and gardeners alike struggled to grow produce amid the drought. The Daily Reporter (Coldwater, Mich.), June 26, 2023

Prayer sessions for rain and relief from the drought crisis will be held on Tuesday mornings in the courtyard in Bloomfield. Bloomfield Democrat (Iowa), June 26, 2023

The Twin Cities received about one-fourth of an inch of rain from mid-May through mid-June, for the least rain in one month since the 1870s. Customers at a garden center in south Minneapolis were aware of the dry conditions and were buying more soaker hoses and rain barrels to be able to use water more wisely. CBS News Minnesota (Minneapolis), June 24, 2023

The Missouri state fire marshal warned the public to be safe with fireworks and enjoy public displays as drought affected most of the state. KY3 (Springfield, Mo.), June 23, 2023 With most of Missouri abnormally dry or in drought, experts recommend that people take in the public fireworks displays or take precautions to avoid sparking a fire. WDAF-TV Online (Kansas City, Mo.), June 26, 2023

The Virgin Islands Agriculture Department asked all families and farmers in the territory to conserve water as drought gripped the area. St. Croix was in a D4 exceptional drought for the first time. Virgin Islands Daily News (St. Thomas, V.I.), June 23, 2023

Much of Wisconsin was in moderate drought. Pasture grass was not growing, so cattle were being fed. Corn has not received enough moisture to be able to grow, was already damaged and may produce tassels after reaching just three feet in height. Some Wisconsin crops were not even able to germinate for lack of moisture. Spectrum News 1 (Milwaukee, Wis.), June 22, 2023

Water customers in the Omaha metro were urged to irrigate their lawns on an odd-even schedule, depending on one's address. WOWT TV 6 (Omaha, Neb.), June 22, 2023

The warm, dry weather in North Dakota allowed grasshoppers to proliferate and devour vegetation faster than it grew. Your News Leader (Bismarck, N.D.), June 21, 2023

The unusually warm, dry weather in Minnesota has led to concerns about a potentially poor crop season if more rain does not fall. Corn in parts of northwest Minnesota was “pineappling,” and some soybeans were turning over their leaves as they endured stress from the lack of moisture. Soybeans were two weeks ahead of their typical growth. Alexandria Echo Press (Minn.), June 22, 2023

A burn ban was implemented in the city of Hannibal due to excessively dry conditions and the forecast for more heat, but no rain. The ban will remain in effect until further notice. KHQA-TV ABC 7 (Quincy, Ill.), June 22, 2023

Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration urged residents and businesses to use water wisely due to the state’s dry conditions and the start of summer. Statewide, rainfall in New Jersey has been less than half of normal over the past 30 days. NJ.com (Newark, N.J.), June 22, 2023

Worsening drought conditions prompted Danville officials to enact a burn ban effective June 22. Cooking over charcoal or using gas grills was still permitted, but extra safety precautions should be taken. The public was urged to avoid using personal fireworks, due to the drought. Vermilion County First (Danville, ill.), June 22, 2023

The city of Geneva asked residents to adhere tightly to the watering schedule to conserve water for use during emergencies. Shaw Local (DeKalb, Ill.), June 22, 2023

Dry conditions and the rising fire risk led to burn bans for Newton and Jasper in Indiana. Country Herald (Bourbonnais, Ill.), June 22, 2023

Due to dry conditions and the rising fire risk, burn bans were in effect for Iroquois, Vermilion, Ford, and Douglas in Illinois, and Newton and Jasper in Indiana. The Eastern Illinois Mutual Aid Association has enacted a comprehensive ban on controlled burns. The City of Hoopeston has issued a Red Flag burn ban, postponing the planned fireworks show. In Champaign, a “No Fireworks” ordinance has been put into place due to the conditions. Country Herald (Bourbonnais, Ill.), June 22, 2023

Low water levels in Lancaster County Rural Water District’s elevated towers led the district to call for customers to mandatorily curb their sprinkler use by 50%. The district is located just southeast of Lincoln, Nebraska. Customers must comply or sprinkler use will be banned for the rest of the year. KLKN TV 8 (Lincoln, Neb.), June 22, 2023

The City of Rock Falls enacted a burn ban that took effect on June 20. No recreational fires are permitted. The ban will be lifted when conditions improve. KWQC Online (Davenport, Iowa), June 21, 2023

Vegetables on a farm in Sparland were watered from a drip irrigation system. Irrigation was even needed to get seeds to germinate. Peoria Public Radio (Ill.), June 21, 2023

Gardeners, golfers and kayakers in DeKalb County have noticed the dry weather. The golf course is irrigating. A kayak outfitting business saw that the south branch of the Kishwaukee River was very low and has turned down customers due to the water levels. Customers are warned of the low water levels and given instruction about paddling around low spots. Shaw Local (DeKalb, Ill.), June 21, 2023

The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds the public to be extra careful with fireworks and campfires amid the continuing drought and high fire risk. KRCG-TV (New Bloomfield, Mo.), June 21, 2023