The recent storms that rolled through South Central Iowa brought more drought relief locally in the latest weekly update.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor Report, both Marion and Warren Counties saw a decrease in the estimated population affected by severe drought for the second straight week. Marion County saw that number drop from 79% in last week’s report to just over 60%, while the estimated population affected by severe drought in Warren County decreased from just over 43% to just over 17%. Neighboring communities to the south also saw significant relief, as severe drought is no longer in place for Clarke, Lucas, and Monroe counties. Other nearby communities saw little to no change in this week’s report, with severe drought still impacting the majority of Jasper County, and moderate drought affecting the majority of Madison, Mahaska and Polk Counties.

According to the National Weather Service, additional periodic chances for rain are forecast into the middle of next week.