Drought is tightening its grip across Iowa, and conditions have worsened noticeably over the past week. New data shows that 11.4% of the state is now classified in moderate drought, a sharp jump from just 1% the week before. In addition, nearly two-thirds of Iowa — about 62.4% — is considered abnormally dry.
Moderate drought is now affecting several counties across southeast Iowa, including Keokuk County, Jefferson County, and Henry County, all of which are currently seeing the same level of dry conditions. Nearby areas such as Louisa County, Iowa County, and Johnson County are dealing with a mix of abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions, showing how uneven moisture levels remain across the region…