Eighty percent of the U.S. is experiencing drought conditions and levels are worsening in Iowa and Illinois.
Maps released by the USDA Thursday, July 12, 2012 show 100% of Iowa and Illinois are experiencing some level of drought.
In the Iowa Quad Cities area, part of Scott County, most of Cedar County and all of Clinton and Jackson counties are part of nearly 13% of the state experiencing severe drought. More than 65% of Iowa is in a moderate drought and the rest of Iowa is considered abnormally dry according to the USDA Drought Monitor.
In Illinois, conditions are worst in the extreme southern counties where drought is now considered at extreme or exceptional levels. The Drought Monitor report says Illinois side of the Quad Cities area is considered in a moderate drought.
