Eastern Ky. in drought; Pike rainfall below normal

STAFF WRITER

State water officials are encouraging citizens to conserve water, as a moderate-to-severe drought continues to develop across the state.

Tuesday's showers brought some short-term relief to dry areas, but were unable to make up for the lack of rain experienced during the end of April and throughout May. Kentucky received only half its usual rainfall during the month of May, according to a news release issued by the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.

“We are experiencing hot, dry conditions that are usually associated with the summer months of July, August and September,” said Bill Caldwell of the Kentucky Division of Water.

Pike County had received 18.55 inches of rain as of June 1, making the county 8.2 inches below its normal rainfall of 26.76 inches, said Brian Schouptmer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson.

Though Pike County's precipitation is lower than expected, City Manager Donovan Blackburn said the city's water supply isn't low.

“We were on the verge of having to put something out asking folks to conserve, but with the recent rain, we're in okay shape,” Blackburn explained.

The weather outlook over the next few days indicates another chance for showers, along with thunderstorms, over the weekend, possibly helping to pull the state out of its current condition.

Statewide, deficits range from six to 10 inches in parts of central, eastern and western Kentucky, to four to eight inches across parts of northern and south-central Kentucky and areas stretching along the Ohio River.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration uses the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) as a means of measuring lack of rainfall.

The West, Central and Bluegrass climatic divisions have been labeled “moderate” by the PDSI, while the East climatic division has been labeled “severe.” The East division is currently at a -3.04 Palmer Index Value and would need 6.94 inches of above normal precipitation to be restored back to average conditions.