Ten counties in Iowa have been designated as primary natural disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to drought.

The 10 counties include Jefferson, Wapello, Clarke, Decature, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Union, Warren, and Wayne counties. Farmers and ranchers in these 10 counties, as well as the contiguous counties qualify for natural disaster assistance, this includes Washington, Keokuk, and Henry counties. The natural disaster designations were declared August 25th and makes qualified farm operators eligible for Farm Service Agency emergnecy loans when eligibility requirements are met. Farmers have eight months to apply for loans to help cover losses.