Storms not yet enough to quell drought - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

More severe storms moved across central Indiana Thursday night, but lawn watering restrictions probably won't be lifted for weeks.

Citizens Water says the rains are helping raise water levels in reservoirs. But they're still 2-6 feet below normal.

Hoosier corn crops and front lawns are still suffering after the hottest July ever and one of the worst droughts in decades. A new drought report shows almost 70 percent of the state is under exceptional or extreme drought. That's more areas than last week.

"Extreme drought has expanded eastward. It's still spreading," said Ken Scheeringa, a State Climatologist at Purdue University.

As bad as that sounds, he sees a silver lining.

"I would call it turning a corner since July I can see a difference," Scheeringa said.

There is a big difference in rainfall maps. The last one for July shows much of central Indiana colored tan for very low rainfall. One week later - last week - there is a lot more green and blue on the map, showing some rainy relief.

Our big problem was a high pressure zone that sat on top of much of Indiana, a heat dome blocking out cool air and moisture. But that high is now over Utah, allowing the rain back in.

But there's a downside. Scheeringa says we really need regular steady rains, not just violent severe storms.

"Heavy storms drop a lot of rain.That rain tends to run off. It's not effective penetrating soil," he said.

Especially this summer's hard, dry soil. But he thinks those gradual week-to-week rains are returning.

A student in the Purdue weather lab hopes so. Kayla Hudson grew up on a Hoosier farm. When she was home in July, she saw the devastating drought effect on the corn crop.

"We know the corn is pretty much hopeless," she said. "But there's still a chance for beans. It's just tough to watch it slowly die."