Despite weekend rains, the drought in Georgia expanded in coverage area this past week and now takes in 65% of the state.
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) says as for the severity of the drought, the week was a “mixed bag.” Areas considered “abnormally” dry and “extremely” dry increased while those considered “moderately” and “severely” dry decreased. All of the counties in our corner of the state are still classified as “extremely” or “severely” dry.
The only parts of Georgia considered drought-free are a swath of counties across its mid-section between Columbus and Augusta and a patch of counties in deep southeast Georgia that includes Valdosta, Brunswick, and Waycross, among other cities and towns.
Check the map you’ll find here Georgia | U.S. Drought Monitor (unl.edu) for detailed information on the drought in Georgia as well as how the rest of the country is faring.
Meanwhile, the level of Lake Lanier has didn’t change from this time last week and remains about nine feet below normal for this time of year.