While Hurricane Isaac caused an estimated 2 billion dollars in damage over the last 2 weeks, including damaging more than 13,000 homes in Louisiana alone… it’s impacts weren’t all bad.  In fact, the drenching rains brought a bit of relief to some of the drought stricken areas along the Mississippi River and Midwest.  In fact, areas from Missouri to Indiana to Ohio welcomed the 3-5″ of rain that Isaac brought to the area.

The US Drought Monitor just issued an updated map this morning of the drought conditions across the nation, taking into account all of the rain that fell from Isaac through Tuesday of this Week.  (The soaking rains in New England are not calculated into this morning’s report).

Here’s the comparison between last week’s report and this week’s report… with “Isaac” almost solely to thank for the easing of the drought conditions in the Midwest:

Drought Conditions as of August 28

Drought Conditions as of Sept 4

The drought classifications in Indiana, Missouri and Illinois have been changed from “Extreme” to “Severe”.  That’s an improvement; however, without more rain in the coming weeks and months, these areas likely won’t  see any long-lasting relief.  Last week’s rain also arrived too late to help with this year’s corn and soy bean crops in those areas… but, no doubt, farmers will take any rain, any time they can get it.

Locally, much of southern New England is still considered to be abnormally dry… but the last 2 days of rain–as much as 2-5+ inches in spots will help.  We’ll get another update from the US Drought Monitor next Thursday.