By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Now in its fourth year, this Kansas drought is the third worst in the last 100 years.

That’s the assessment of Bob Gillen, director of the K-State Agricultural Research Center in Hays:

Gillen says the 1930s drought lasted eight years, from 1932 through 1940, with 1933 to 1936 the worst years for dust storms and limited precipitation.

All 105 Kansas counties are now in a drought situation. Gov. Sam Brownback issued the update Wednesday morning.

More than half of Kansas counties, including Ellis, are in the emergency stage.