A prolonged summer drought gradually worsened, becoming severe in early September. Many parts of western Kentucky received no measurable rainfall through the first two weeks of September. At Paducah, the three-month period from June through August of 2002 was the second driest such period on record. Total rainfall during the period from June 1 to September 15 was only 5 inches, well below the normal of about 13 inches. The main effect of the drought was on agriculture. Crop loss estimates totalled around 70 million dollars. The corn crop, which was especially susceptible to the combined effects of heat and drought, took the biggest hit. About 35 million dollars in corn was lost in western Kentucky. About 20 million dollars in tobacco was lost, and another 15 million dollars was lost in soybean production. Some trees and shrubs died in the drought, especially newly planted ones with shallow root systems. A few counties declared bans on outdoor burning due to the high fire danger. A fire burned 50 acres of pasture along Interstate 24 near the Grand Rivers exit. However, the effects of this drought on trees, shrubs, and the soybean crop were considerably less than the drought of 1999. The remnants of Tropical Storm Isidore provided very heavy rainfall late in September. Four to eight inches of rain fell over most of western Kentucky, which greatly eased the drought.

Drought in HENDERSON, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in TODD, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in CALLOWAY, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in CARLISLE, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in HICKMAN, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in BALLARD, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Crop damage: 70M
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in CALDWELL, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in FULTON, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in GRAVES, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in MUHLENBERG, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in MCLEAN, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in MARSHALL, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in UNION, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in CRITTENDEN, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in HOPKINS, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in WEBSTER, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 01-SEP-02 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-02 18:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER