The drought which began in May worsened considerably across western Kentucky as summer progressed. By the end of July, all of western Kentucky was upgraded to extreme to exceptional drought. The exceptional drought conditions were along and west of a line from Henderson to Princeton to Benton to Murray. The remainder of western Kentucky was classified as having extreme drought conditions. At Paducah, only 1.78 inches of rain fell in July, which was 2.66 inches below normal. Soil moisture deficits continued to increase. By the end of July, 90 to 100 percent of the region's topsoil and subsoil moisture was reported as short or very short. Many crops were showing stress, and the situation became dire for many farmers. A majority of the corn and soybeans were listed in poor to very poor condition. Increasing amounts of livestock and pasture were showing stress. The percentage of pastures rated as poor or very poor continued to grow. 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 most of western Kentucky, including Ballard, Caldwell, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fulton, Henderson, Hickman, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, Mclean, Muhlenberg, Union, and Webster Counties. Fourth of July fireworks shows were cancelled or banned in many places. The State of Kentucky issued a Water Shortage Watch for Mclean and Crittenden Counties. The goal of the watch is to implement water conservation measures to ensure ample water supplies. Streamflows were running below normal. The drought began in May and continued into August.

Drought in MARSHALL, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in FULTON, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in BALLARD, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in MCLEAN, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in CALDWELL, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in MUHLENBERG, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in GRAVES, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in CALLOWAY, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in HENDERSON, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in TODD, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in UNION, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in HICKMAN, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in CARLISLE, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in HOPKINS, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in WEBSTER, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in CRITTENDEN, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations