Areas of north-central Iowa drought free after recent rain

DES MOINES — Parts of north-central Iowa for the first time this calendar year are not seeing drought conditions.

According to the latest edition of the Iowa Drought Monitor, most of Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hancock and Wright counties are not reporting drought conditions. The rest of the listening area is in the “D-0 Abnormally Dry” category, while a small portion of eastern Butler County continues to be in the “D-1 Moderate Drought” category.

Three months ago, the entire area was listed in the D-1 level, but rain over the last month has reduced the amount of drought in the area. Statewide, there’s still 72% of Iowa in the “Abnormally Dry” category, while 13% is at the “Moderate Drought” level.