Drought Hits Close to Home

Intro:	Forecasters say rain from Hurricane Isaac is expected to provide a dent of relief for states affected by the summer's drought.
RunTime:	0:40
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Missouri lawns are taking a beating from the drought, and according to the National Weather Service, some states are in need of over 15 inches of additional rain.

Forecaster at National Weather Service in St. Louis, Scott Truett, says Missouri can expect about 3 to 5 inches of rainfall brought from Hurricane Isaac.

Actuality:	TRUETT01.WAV
Run Time:	00:13
Description: "It's a very rough estimate over Missouri to break the drought is we're going to need anywhere from 9-15 inches of rain. That would have to occur over several weeks or several months not just obviously in one storm system."

Truett says even though the rain will not completely repair the effects of the drought, it will provide some relief.

From the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro:	The loss of plant life from the drought may create unlikely revenue for Missouri landscapers.
RunTime:	0:31
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Because the colors are draining from Missouri lawns, landscapers, like owner Ron Goedeker are being called for jobs of replacing dead shrubs with new plants.

Actuality:	GOED2.WAV
Run Time:	00:12
Description: "It may even benefit us because we're going to have to be replacing things...that is on the customers dime rather than ours, and so I would think that hasn't happened immediately, there's a little bit of that."

Missouri is in need of 9 to 15 inches of rain, and is expected to gain about 3 to 5 inches brought from Hurricane Isaac.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro:	While the devastating drought continues to cause worry among some homeowners, experts warn to think twice before soaking those shrubs.
RunTime:	0:38
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The normal reaction of a drought might be to water lawns as much as possible, however a horticulturist from the University of Missouri says watering depends on levels of moisture. He says the best way to maintain a healthy lawn is by making sure the level of water provided matches the level of water lost daily from the soil.

Saint Louis Landscaper Ron Goedeker agrees balancing the waterings is the best solution.

Actuality:	GOED03.WAV
Run Time:	00:12
Description: "You know he felt like he needed to water his plants so much that now they're killing it with kindness... So now things are dying, and I'm pulling them up, and they're just sitting in water because there's so much water you know?"

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.