Washington, DC (Northwestiowanow.com) — There was very little change in the USDA Drought Monitor today, but the counties that were upgraded are here in the KICD Broadcast area.

Last week nearly 100 percent of Emmet County was considered to be in D-1 ‘Moderate Drought”, and now over half of the county is just considered “Abnormally Dry.”

All of Palo County is now Abnormally dry, last week about the Northwest quarter was still in the D-1 category.

Pocahontas, Buena Vista County, and over hall of Cherokee County are Abnormally Dry. Dickinson, Osceola, O’Brien, and the Northwest half of Clay County are D-1. 21 percent of Iowa – the lower tier of Counties – are drought free.