owa is drought free for the first time in 4 years, according to the most recent U-S Drought Monitor.
The last time the state could claim that was in June 2020.
State Climatologist Justin Glisan said after the historic drought, parts of the state are on the road to near-historic rainfall.
"Northwest and north central Iowa are in the fourth and third wettest springs on record, and records go back 132 years to 1893," Glisan said.
Some weather stations in those regions are reporting between 150 and 200 percent of their average monthly rainfall for May. Some of those stations had missed an entire years’ worth of moisture last year.
*In other news, communication services statewide in Iowa have been impacted by damage to a facility in Des Moines.
Lumen Communications -- formerly CenturyLink -- experienced a water line break earlier today, impacting landlines and internet connections.
Landlines in Iowa have been impacted and may not be able to complete calls.
So, in case of an emergency, people are encouraged to call 911 with a cell phone.
*The City of Sioux City is about to start the Isabella Square Infrastructure Improvements Project, which will help with adding new housing.
The contractor plans to begin construction on June 3, with an estimated completion date of mid-August.
This project supports the new housing development in the area bound by Myrtle Street, West 5th Street, West 6th Street, and Isabella Street. The project includes the construction of new storm and sanitary mains, water services, and limited sidewalk and street paving, so there will be some detours over the summer.
In other infrastructure news in the metro area, a short recreational trail will be added to Cardinal Elementary School in the South Sioux City School District.
Earlier this week, the South Sioux City Council approved the lowest bid of $77,754 to have a contractor complete the trail work. Part of the cost will be paid by a grant.
Elsewhere in the school district, a trail connects two schools to Raymond Park.
