Drought conditions now impact all areas around the Tuscarawas Valley and continue to decline due to the lack of substantial rainfall. This week’s update from the US Drought Monitor shows that drought has worsened over the past week.
Extreme and Exceptional drought conditions have spread into southeastern parts of Tuscarawas County this week. The most intense drought classification—exceptional Drought—has now spread into parts of Perry and Rush Townships. Nearly one-third of the county is now classified as either Extreme or Exceptional.
Tuscarawas County is farm country and the lack of substantial rain is a serious agriculture concern here. All one needs to do is take a drive around the county to realize many field crops are stressed and in decline. The lack of rain also stresses pasture land and impacts the feeding of livestock.
We desperately need rain. This summer has been the driest on record here in the Tuscarawas Valley and prospects for any substantial rainfall in the area look fairly bleak in the near and mid-range terms. We will likely get some rain on Friday through Saturday morning but it won’t be nearly enough.
