JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (News First) – Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 24-13 on Tuesday, declaring a drought alert in Missouri until March 31st of 2025. Currently, the U.S. Drought Monitor map of Missouri indicates that all or portions of at least 88 Missouri counties are experiencing moderate, severe, or extreme drought conditions. The Executive Order declares a Drought Alert in these Missouri counties and any additional county that begins experiencing moderate drought conditions.
Local counties that are a part of this alert include Crawford, Dent, Reynolds, Franklin, Phelps and Shannon counties. In response to the Executive Order, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will activate the Drought Assessment Committee, a workgroup set up to assess drought levels and work with impact teams on response and recovery recommendations.
Our own Beau Dodson says it’s been over 130 years since the state has seen dry conditions at this level.
A variety of helpful resources can be found at dnr.mo.gov/drought.
