Level 2 Drought Declared In 24 Western Kentucky Counties

The Office of the State Climatologist and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, in coordination with the Kentucky Drought Mitigation Team, are issuing a Level 2 drought declaration for 24 counties in three Drought Management Areas in western Kentucky. 

In addition, a Level 1 drought has been declared for 66 counties in nine DMAs.

A Level 2 drought indicates severe drought conditions have developed. Counties with this designation can expect severe impacts to water-sensitive enterprises; depletion of water supplies in shallow wells, springs and ponds; increased incidences of wildfires; higher demands placed on water treatment facilities; and the imposition of water conservation advisories.

A Level 1 drought indicates moderate to severe drought conditions have developed primarily affecting soil moisture and vegetation. Counties with this designation can expect reduced supplies of agricultural water and heightened risk of wildfires.

Counties included in the Level 2 drought declaration:

Purchase DMA: Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, McCracken, Marshall

Pennyrile DMA: Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd, Trigg

Green River DMA: Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, Webster

Counties included in the Level 1 drought declaration:

Barren River DMA: Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, Warren

Big Sandy DMA: Magoffin

Bluegrass DMA: Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, Woodford

Buffalo Trace DMA: Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Mason, Robertson

Cumberland Valley DMA: Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle, Whitley

Gateway DMA: Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Rowan

Kentucky River DMA: Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Wolfe

Lake Cumberland DMA: Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, Wayne

Lincoln Trail DMA: Grayson, Marion, Washington

Counties considered abnormally dry but not yet included in the Level 1 drought declaration:

Big Sandy DMA: Floyd, Johnson, Martin, Pike

Bluegrass DMA: Franklin

FIVCO DMA: Boyd, Carter, Elliot, Greenup, Lawrence

Lincoln Trail DMA: Breckinridge, Hardin, LaRue, Meade, Nelson

Northern Kentucky DMA: Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, Pe