Area rivers remain well below flood stage as of this morning. The Little Wabash River east of Fairfield is at 4.39 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. At Clay City the stage is 4.11 feet. Flood stage is 18 feet. At Carmi the river is at 3.18 feet. Flood stage is 27 feet. The Skillet Fork at Wayne City reads 5.04 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Wabash River at Mt. Carmel is at 2.65 feet. Flood stage is 19 feet. Bonpas Creek at Browns is at 1.53 feet.
As of December 5th the National Weather Service indicated most of the area, including Wayne County, is under a Moderate Drought. Parts of Clay, Richland and Lawrence counties in southeastern Illinois and areas to the north are under Severe Drought conditions. The current weather forecast is calling for dry conditions this week, with a gradual warmup in temperatures.