LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Several days of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Helene have helped ease Kentucky’s drought conditions.
On Thursday, the Office of the State Climatologist and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet lifted the statewide drought declaration, which lasted 10 days.
Between four to five inches of rain were recorded across Louisville in the last several days.
In August, Louisville saw just under an inch of rain for the entire month. That's well below the average rainfall for the month, which is nearly four inches.
For the entire month of September, Louisville saw more than six-and-a-half inches of rain, more than three inches above normal.
“The light to moderate precipitation over several days allowed for water to infiltrate into the soil column, returning soil moisture to pre-summer levels,” officials said. “Streamflows have returned to normal and there are no current concerns with drinking water supplies.”
Harlan County, which borders Virginia in southeastern Kentucky, saw the most rainfall from Helene’s remnants here in the commonwealth. It received just under eight inches of rainfall in a five-day period last week.
“The early October forecast from NOAA predicts below-normal precipitation for all of Kentucky,” State Climatologist Jerry Brotzge said on Sept. 23. “The month three-month fall outlook forecasts equal chances for above-or below-normal precipitation.”
In Louisville, it's expected to remain dry through at least Oct. 12. Get the latest forecast here.
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