Drought-stricken states welcome rain from Isaac

(AP) The remnants of Tropical Storm Isaac could bring welcome rain to some states in the Midwest this week, although it is unlikely to break the drought that has been gripping the region.

The states most likely to benefit from the storm are in the Mississippi River valley. The National Weather Service predicts 2 to 6 inches of rain will fall in eastern Arkansas, southeast Missouri and southern Illinois later this week.

Those areas have been in a severe drought with some places short more than a foot of rain this year.

Heavy rains also could aid traffic on the Mississippi River, which has been snarled by temporary closures due to low water conditions.