Missouri’s drought conditions are expected to continue through the remainder of this year. It’s something that Dru Buntin, Director of the state Department of Natural Resources, says falls in line with the thought that this is the same drought that affected residents last year.
“We’re really in the second year of drought,” said Buntin. “We kind of went on a bit of a hiatus last winter because we had had some local rainfall that helped, but we’re entering into the time of the year where we have the least amount of precipitation.”
Despite admitting this is a continuation of 2022’s drought, state officials are reporting that they have not heard of community water supply concerns. Buntin said that the drought impacts are relegated mostly to the agriculture industry.
“We’re not yet seeing concerns about water supply for communities,” he said. “That is a bit different. This year, particularly given the timing of the drought, and the impact that is had on grasses and forage, we just saw the lack of production of hay.”
A statewide drought committee wants Gov. Mike Parson to extend his executive order on drought until next April.
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