Last week’s rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Helene brought several inches to the region. As a result, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map from this past Thursday shows the rainfall knocked out the drought and dry conditions to a good part of southern Illinois. With the exception of a small area in the southern tip of the state, southern Illinois, including Wayne County, is not shown in any Abnormally Dry or drought conditions. Central and northern Illinois, which did not receive as much rainfall last weekend, is still shown Abnormally Dry, with areas in the northern and western part of the state in a Moderate Drought.
The current and extended forecasts are showing a pretty good chance that drought conditions could redevelop in the area over the next few weeks. The forecast from the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky shows sunny days and clear nights expected for the next week. The extended forecasts, running through October 18th, are showing above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation expected in our area.
As far as the area river stages as of this morning, the Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 5.53 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 4.54 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the river is at 4.38 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City is at 5.21 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 3.02 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Bonpas Creek at Browns is at 1.55 feet.
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