Drought in Upper Plaquemines, Louisiana

East Central and Southeast Louisiana saw another hot month as average temperatures were 2 to 3 degrees above normal for August. Audubon Park in New Orleans tied or broke 12 previous record daily high temperatures and New Orleans International Airport tied two previous record highs. In addition, August 1998 was the 4th warmest month on record at New Orleans International Airport and ranked among the ten warmest August in the century across the state. Southeast Louisiana received near normal precipitation amounts, while East Central Louisiana received a rainfall average of 2.35 inches below the normal amount of 5.74 inches. The Palmer Drought Index remained in the severe drought range for East Central Louisiana and in the moderate to mild drought range for Southeast Louisiana. Damage estimates for crops is for the entire growing season and is based on a final crop damage report by the Louisiana Crop Extension Service issued in October of 1998.