Updated 10/4/19

The drought expands across Giles County and farmers are reporting the lack of water has stunted the growth of major local crops, including corn, and made it extremely difficult for other produce to grow, such as berries, which rely on one to two inches of water per week to properly grow.

The county started 2019 on the rainy side, but quickly transitioned to multiple dry months including September with only 0.27 inches of rain.

That is why it is called a ‘flash drought’ because it happened so quickly. We have several dry months back to back over a short period of time.

Rain chances increase Sunday and Monday and is the best chance of rain since August. The total from these two days could eclipse our entire total from September.

If the drought continues to elevate to an extreme condition, farmers will be eligible to receive aid from the federal government.

In late September, state officials announced that all open-air outdoor fires will require a burn permit, about three weeks before the state traditionally requires permits on October 15.