July adds more rain to record books, douses outdoor occupations

If you think the weather’s rained on your parade in Indianapolis this July, just think about the plight of our local farmers.

How bad was it? Well, Purdue University Agricultural Economist Chris Hurt estimated about $500 million in crop damage.

For farmers July was worse than June, which set a statewide record for rainfall. Hurt said farmers could recover from losses suffered in June by replanting in July, but because the deluge continued, they were unable to replant or re-saturate the soil with the nitrogen required for a good corn yield.

“If we’d seen the rain stop or be more normal, we could have replanted,” he said. “No one knows for sure what yield impacts will be.”

The USDA will release its yield and production report with final numbers on Aug. 12, but the most recent crop report published on July 27 listed 25 percent of the corn crop as “poor” or “very poor.” Twenty-seven percent of the soybean crop was classified in the same categories.

Hurt stressed that the $500 million loss is a rough estimate and that about 70-80 percent of those losses could be recouped through crop insurance. However, Indiana is the worst affected state when it comes to corn yield, he said.

“It’s very rare to have this much rain and rainfall in summer,” he said. “It’s more common in spring.”

And farmers weren’t the only people affected.

Setting records

Indianapolis had its wettest July in 140 years.

We had 13 rainy days, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Puma, adding up to 13.14 inches.

But if you’ve gone outside in the last two weeks, you know that we’ve also had some scorchers.

The hottest day in July was July 28 when it was 92 degrees.

Puma explained that the wacky July weather was caused by fluctuations in a northwest flow of air bringing weather patterns to Indiana. Sometimes the flow moves north, allowing heat to build up from the south, giving us those blazing days at the end of July.

Wearing down campsite owners

Anyone hoping for a sun-dappled forest retreat next to a bubbling creek was disappointed in July. Camping near Indianapolis became an exercise in wading in mud.

“Yeah, it’s made it a nightmare for us,” said Dave Vaughan, owner of the KOA campsite northeast of the city. The site faced big challenges in the beginning of the summer.

“Floods were affecting other places worse than us,” he said. “But the frustration of having to deal with it kind of wears on you.”

Water hazard for golfers

Golfers headed out to the green in July were also often disappointed.

“If you play golf at all, you’ve had problems this summer,” said Mike David, executive director of the Indiana Golf Association.

“I can’t think of a worse summer,” David said, reflecting on his 25 years as the head of IGA.

The IGA had to reschedule two events so far this summer, a one-day PGA tournament and the Northern Open.

From bust to boom for the pools, parks

The Indianapolis Parks and Recreation department has had a roller coaster of a summer.

“As soon as it stops raining, it’s like 100 degrees in the shade,” said spokeswoman Maureen Faul. “Right now the pools are packed, and the spraygrounds are open.”

But in the early part of July, Faul said her aquatics supervisor reported 15 percent fewer visitors. Eagle Creek Park, the only gated park with accurate numbers on guests, reported an 11 percent decrease in attendees.

Indianapolis’ spraygrounds will stay open until Labor Day weekend.

Bugs trying to move indoors

Anyone living near standing water will have noticed this problem: bugs, bugs, bugs.

Specifically mosquitoes, though Joshua Bland of Insight Pest Solutions said the saturated soil has also forced other insects such as ants to seek refuge in Hoosier homes. Spiders, too.

“There’s been a lot of increased activity because of water,” he said. “Especially standing water, which leads to more mosquitoes.”

Bland estimated his company has received 20-25 percent more calls. “Any time there’s a pest inside someone’s home, they’re going to be upset.”

It’s not all bad for business

Clifford Seaton, store manager for Gander Mountain’s Avon store, said, “Rain is our retail sunshine,” proving that at least one industry is flourishing in the wet.

Gander Mountain doesn’t sell umbrellas, but they do sell waders, ponchos, rain jackets and pants. Other popular items during the rain were generators and hand-crank flashlights. Seaton said people rush into his store the morning after a big storm to grab new gear.

“They pretty much fly off the shelves.”

Call Star reporter Ellen Garrison at (317) 444-6179. Follow her on Twitter: @EllenGarrison.