4 Kansas counties under drought emergency

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - On Monday, Governor Laura Kelly approved an updated drought declaration for counties throughout Kansas.

“While drought conditions have improved in some areas of the state, many counties continue to be negatively impacted by the decline in water supply or strains on water resources,” Said Governor Laura Kelly. “I strongly encourage all Kansans to continue to conserve water over the summer months.”

Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team, Connie Owen, recommended the governor to place four counties into emergency status. These counties include Hodgeman, Ness, Pawnee, and Rush. Governor Kelly has also put 35 counties into drought warning and 66 into drought watch status.

“Summer has arrived, and with it, higher temperatures and a decrease in precipitation. The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the drought conditions across Kansas and make recommendations to Governor Kelly as conditions change.” says Owen.

The Kansas Water office, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management agreed to allow counties in the emergency stage to use water from certain state fishing lakes and federal reserves. Individuals and communities should contact the Kansas Water Office for water supply to attain the necessary permit before withdrawing water from lakes.

Governor Kelly’s updated drought proclamation is effective immediately.