Drought conditions gradually expanded and intensified across western Kentucky through the last week of the month. The drought severity was greatest in the westernmost counties from Paducah and Mayfield westward, where it became extreme. Further east, the drought became severe across most of the rest of western Kentucky. The exception was the Henderson/Owensboro area, where the drought was classified as moderate. Most crops were in the process of being harvested, so agricultural impacts were very limited. However, pastures were in poor or very poor condition. This forced farmers to begin feeding hay to cattle, which was likely to become in short supply in the winter months. Stock ponds ran low or completely dried up. The wildfire danger rose to critical levels on a few days where windy conditions coincided with very low humidity. Bans on outdoor burning were imposed in much of the region. A large field fire occurred on October 14 in Princeton (Caldwell County). This 40-acre fire moved into a neighborhood, burning a house and a camper and forcing some evacuations. Two firefighters were injured. Another large field fire on the 14th occurred in central Graves County, near Viola (north of Mayfield). Some residents were placed on evacuation notice in case the fire approached their residences. Also on the 14th, a brush fire burned about 60 to 70 acres just east of Smithland in Livingston County. Some locally beneficial rain arrived at the end of the month. Even so, most locations were still 3 to over 6 inches below normal on rainfall since September 1. One of the most significant impacts was very low water levels on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Parts of the Mississippi River reached all-time low levels, nearly forcing the river transportation industry to a halt. Dredging helped restore navigation channels to a depth sufficiently deep for river traffic to resume in a limited capacity. On Saturday, October 15, 2022, the Mississippi River at New Madrid, Mo., fell to -5.45 feet. This was the lowest observed river stage on record at New Madrid, where observations began in 1879.

Drought in BALLARD, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CALDWELL, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CALLOWAY, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CARLISLE, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CRITTENDEN, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in FULTON, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in GRAVES, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HENDERSON, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HICKMAN, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HOPKINS, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MARSHALL, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MCLEAN, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MUHLENBERG, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in TODD, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in UNION, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in WEBSTER, KENTUCKY
From 01-OCT-22 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor