LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The latest U.S. Drought Monitor classifies a portion of the Arkansas River Valley as in exceptional drought status.
That's the most severe classification provided by the U.S. Drought Monitor. The latest map released Thursday says 3.25 percent of Arkansas is enduring an exceptional drought.
The listing affects all of Conway County and portions of Pope, Van Buren, Faulkner and Perry counties.
The analysis says all of Arkansas is facing some sort of drought conditions — with more than 70 percent of the state in extreme drought or worse.
The latest report factors in the rain that much of Arkansas received this week.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Agriculture Department granted a disaster declaration for 69 of Arkansas' 75 counties because of the drought.
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