The drought which began in May reached its most extreme stage by early August.  Through the month of August, all of southern Illinois was in extreme to exceptional drought. The exceptional drought conditions were south of a line from Mount Carmel to Murphysboro. The remainder of southern Illinois was in extreme drought conditions. Soil moisture deficits remained very high. Throughout August, 80 to 100 percent of the region's topsoil and subsoil moisture was reported as short or very short. Many crops were heavily damaged, and numerous counties were declared natural disaster areas. Corn crops were a partial or complete loss. Soybeans were faring somewhat better. The percentage of pastures rated as poor or very poor held steady from July. Some small trees and shrubs were killed. Ponds across the region were dry or drying quickly. Even with the isolated rainfall from thunderstorms, fire danger remained high. Bans on outdoor burning were in place for numerous counties in southern Illinois. Streamflows were running normal to below normal. At the Carbondale airport, 6.24 inches of rain fell in August, which was over 3 inches above normal. However, two inches of this rain fell on the last day of the month, which was too late to impact August drought conditions. The drought began in May and continued into September.

Drought in JEFFERSON, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in JOHNSON, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in MASSAC, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in PERRY, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in HARDIN, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in JACKSON, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in SALINE, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in UNION, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WABASH, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in ALEXANDER, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in EDWARDS, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in FRANKLIN, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in POPE, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WAYNE, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in PULASKI, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in GALLATIN, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in HAMILTON, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WHITE, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WILLIAMSON, ILLINOIS
From 01-AUG-12 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency