Record-shattering rainfall smashes Oklahoma drought

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Record-shattering spring showers across Oklahoma replenished lakes and reservoirs and eliminated any traces of a devastating drought that had gripped the state for five years.

The latest figures from the U.S. Drought Monitor show only a sliver of the far western Panhandle – less than 2 percent of Oklahoma’s land mass – remain categorized as "abnormally dry."

Just three months ago, more than 68 percent of Oklahoma was suffering from drought conditions ranging from moderate to exceptional.

Oklahoma State Climatologist Gary McManus says Oklahoma also remains on pace to have the wettest year ever in terms of statewide average rainfall.

Through July 9, Oklahoma has had 33.16 inches of rain, ahead of the current wettest year in 1957 when 32.91 inches fell during the same period.