Farmers and firefighters got a brief reprieve this week after nearly four inches of rain fell across the Golden Triangle, easing conditions during one of the driest starts to a year in more than a century. Still, the drought is far from over.
Meteorologist and climatologist Andrew Mercer, a professor in Mississippi State University’s Department of Geosciences, said the rainfall has provided some relief, but the state remains about seven inches below normal for this time of year.
“Most of the water has been absorbed in the soil at this point, so we need a little bit more, but we’re definitely better than we were,” Mercer told The Dispatch on Friday. “… Just having the extra rainfall will probably help replenish some reservoirs and … help with crop watering to not have to rely on irrigation. … But we still have a ways to go because we’re getting into the dry season.”
Since January, Mississippi has recorded its 10th driest year to date in the last 131 years, with roughly 10.2 inches of rainfall compared to the state’s average of 16.2 inches, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System website.
“We could stand to probably have … another handful of days where we get an inch or two of rain that are maybe more than what we would normally get this time of year,” Mercer said. “That would help nudge us in the right direction.”
The rainfall also meant officials did not have to extend the 30-day burn bans previously issued in Lowndes, Clay and Noxubee counties, said Lowndes County Fire Services Coordinator Jim Robbins.
“I don’t recall an April being that dry in a long time,” Robbins told The Dispatch on Friday. “We were getting a lot of fires that were getting out of control … and that’s what led to the burn ban. We’re good right now. I still think that people need to exercise extreme caution anytime you’re doing any kind of burning (and) make sure conditions are favorable.”
Robbins said he does not anticipate additional burn bans being issued if conditions continue to improve.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
