A total of 72 counties — virtually the entire eastern half of the state — are now under a drought emergency.
The city of Gardner has issued water-use restrictions.
“Counties in emergency stage are eligible for emergency use of water from certain state fishing lakes,” according to an announcement from the Drought Response Team in Gov.
Jeff Colyer’s office.
protected by reCAPTCHA Privacy – Terms Privacy – Terms Individuals and communities need to file a request with the Kansas Water Office before withdrawing water from lakes.
All 105 Kansas counties are either in a drought emergency or under a watch or warning.
Though the forecast this week calls for more rain, the National Weather Weather Service in Kansas City tweeted on Aug. 12: “On track to see a decent amount of rain across the area this week.
… It’s unlikely to break the drought, but it should certainly help.” Spotty showers and storms will continue through tonight.
It’s unlikely to break the drought, but it should certainly help.
pic.twitter.com/AVugnRujqQ — NWS Kansas City (@NWSKansasCity) August 12, 2018 As for Missouri, the National Integrated Drought Information System said that as of the last update on Aug. 7, much of northern and northwestern parts of the state and parts of southwestern Missouri were in extreme drought.

According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, abnormal dryness or drought are affecting 2,764,000 people in Utah.
More than 90 percent of the state is in a moderate drought, with a severe drought designated for much of eastern Utah.
The snow pack in the mountains, as measured at 11 SNOTEL sites in the mountains of the Price/San Rafael River Basin is just 47 percent of the median, compared to 163 percent at this time last year.
Stream flow forecasts for the Price and San Rafael River Basin are currently predicted to range from 25 percent of average on the White River below Tabbyune Creek, to 60 percent on the Green River near the Town of Green River.
Reservoirs still at high levels During the unusually wet winter of 2016-2017 area reservoirs were filled to capacity, and many remain at above-average levels for this time of year.
As of March 1, Huntington North Reservoir was 126 percent of capacity, compared to 88 percent at this time last year.
The average percent of capacity for this time of year is 79 percent.
Scofield Reservoir was measured at 78 percent of capacity, compared to only 25 percent last year.
The average percent of capacity on March 1 is 47 percent.
While Joes Valley Reservoir was only 50 percent full at this time last year, the reservoir is currently at 74 percent of capacity.