Drought in Chickasaw, Iowa

Drier than normal conditions resulted in severe drought conditions for 241 square miles across southern Chickasaw County persisting into the middle of July. Increased rainfall of 1.40 to 4.64 inches according to volunteer observers resulted in some drought improvement across Chickasaw County with the July 18th Drought Monitor issuance, with the severe drought conditions being removed from the county.

Severe drought conditions persisted across portions of northeast Iowa into the beginning of July. Relief from the ongoing severe drought was realized following a rain event on July 4th and 5th, when generally 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rainfall was recorded across the area. Maximum two day rainfall amounts included 2.18 inches near Waucoma (Fayette County), 1.51 inches near Fort Atkinson (Winneshiek County), and 1.4 inches in New Hampton (Chickasaw County). This rainfall resulted in a temporary suspension of severe drought conditions across all of northeast Iowa with the July 18th Drought Monitor issuance. However, dry conditions thereafter led to severe drought conditions returning to eastern Allamakee County late in the month.