drought

Early Rainfall Helps End Drought Conditions In Illinois

WNIJ — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:59:05 +0000

Illinois has seen less snow than usual this winter. But the state is still on pace to have more precipitation than in 2012. The U.S. Drought Monitor says only a third of Illinois is still in drought or "abnormally dry" conditions -- down from 100 percent last fall.

Several northern Illinois counties added to drought list

Mike Moen and Rachel Otwell — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:27:46 +0000

All counties in Illinois have now been designated as "primary disaster areas" due to drought. That's after the U.S. Department of Agriculture added counties in northern Illinois to the list.

Expert says Illinois' drought won't end anytime soon

Mike Moen and Brian Mackey — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:16:43 +0000

Illinois is seeing slightly cooler temperatures following last week's hundred-degree days. But state climatologist Jim Angel says it appears the end of the drought is a long way off.

Quinn asks for more federal help for drought-stricken counties

Mike Moen and Associated Press — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:53:19 +0000

Governor Pat Quinn has asked for federal disaster designations for virtually all Illinois counties. His request comes amid one of the state's worst droughts on record.

Boom planting turning into bust crops in Illinois

WNIJ — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 17:07:25 +0000

Quinn tours drought-stricken Southern Illinois farm

With the warm spring, farmers were able to plant early and corn and soy seeds went in at a remarkable pace.

"We were set out to raise what we thought was probably the largest corn crop in the history of American agriculture," Said Illinois Farm Bureau President Phillip Nelson.

Instead, months of drought are killing those expectations ... and the corn. Nelson says some farmers will end up with no crop, or only half of one.