The National Weather Service has elevated much of the Tri-State to the highest level for drought conditions.
One Emergency Management official expects the drought to get worse with an ever widening impact on our lives.
On Evansville's north side, corn plants are very dry, some are no taller than just a couple of feet. 14 News spoke to Posey County EMA Director Larry Robb Friday, and he says this is just one effect of this summer's drought, he's seen. And he says we should expect the drought to get worse before it gets better.
"We're very concerned. It's dry."
Robb says this is the worst drought the Tri-State area has seen in recent memory.
"Currently, Posey County is listed by the National Weather Service under a D-4 drought rating," Robb explained. "That is the highest of the four levels and it's considered 'exceptional."
'Exceptional' as in, 'exceptionally dry.' Robb says Posey County is just one of many Tri-State, and Midwest areas, that have fallen into the same category. And he says even with the recent rainfall, the drought is still far from ended.
"Your yard may look better, but we're still very dry. We're seeing trees now that are starting to lose their leaves that would not normally, this time of year. And now, we're seeing corn that tasseled out, or topped out, at two or three feet tall."
Robb says a low crop yield could affect ethanol production, therefore driving up the price of gas. He also says the river's water-level is much lower than usual, exposing large rock formations at the old dam in New Harmony.
"Last year, the water was so high that you couldn't even walk in. You had to boat in, and this year, we could probably walk over to Illinois," joked resident Robin Carter.
Carter lives in Mt. Vernon and owns a river cabin in New Harmony. She says, with the water so low, cabin life has been enjoyable, but she says she'd still like to see more rain.
"I pray every day that we have rain," Carter said. "You know, I've grown up around corn and soy beans all my life. And to go by and see the, dried up, that's just not right."
Robb says the rain we've had hasn't been enough to completely soak in, and soften the ground. So, he says, we need at least a couple of weeks of constant rain to officially pull us out of this drought.
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Posey County is one such area where the NWA has designated an 'exceptional' D-4 drought level.
