PIERRE, (KCCR) — Rains last week have led to a continued reduction of drought across South Dakota. Statewide, areas of no drought have increased seven-percent while abnormally dry areas have decreased seven-percent; moderate drought has a reduction of six-percent. Severe drought has increased less than one-percent. Any sign of abnormally dry conditions have been completely removed this week from Hughes, Stanley, Dewey and Sully Counties. Jones County is 99-point-seven percent drought-free. Mellette County is 71-percent drought free, an increase of two-percent from last week. Tripp County is 84-percent abnormally dry a drop of one-percent from last week. Drought free areas of Lyman County increased 20-percent this week to 64-percent. Buffalo County is 99-percent abnormally dry. Drought free area grew in Hand County by 40% and Hyde County by 63-percent. The worst drought in central South Dakota is in Brule County where moderate drought dropped 93-percent to only the southeast corner. Two areas of severe drought remain in eastern South Dakota, one northeast of Watertown and the second from Brookings to Sioux Falls.
