When you compare the impact of the drought on Georgia with its impact on our neighboring states, we are much worse off than they are, except maybe Florida. At least in terms of the severity of the dry weather, even though dry conditions may cover 100 percent of their land area in some cases.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) only the Peach State and the Sunshine State are affected, as of last Thursday, by the most severe category it uses to measure a drought’s severity – 22% in Georgia, 20% in Florida. The affected areas are south Georgia and the bordering Florida Panhandle.
Most of Georgia, including Gainesville and surrounding areas, are suffering from “extreme” or “exceptional” conditions, the two most severe categories.
Meanwhile, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) meteorologist Brad Rippey says the southeast is driving the drought numbers higher for the entire nation.
And as concern about wildfires mounts, Georgia Forestry Commission Fire Chief Thomas Barrett tells 11Alive the state has seen almost 4,500 wildfires since last July. Barrett says he expects conditions to stay dry through June.
The agency reported on its Facebook page Monday morning that so far this year it has recorded 52 such fires statewide that have charred 3,055 acres.
State Climatologist Pam Knox says since there is almost no rain forecast through April 25 and temperatures are expected to be warmer than usual for the next 3-4 weeks, the continued expansion of drought and worsening status is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
“It is interesting to note,” Knox says, “that the growth of the drought came during the fall and winter with the absence of tropical rain and the impacts of La Nina on the water balance. Winter is normally the period when we get significant recharge of the soil moisture and build up a reserve of moisture going into the growing season, and this year we got very little relief.
“Now that all the plants are out of dormancy and growing, they are sucking up whatever reserves of moisture that are left in the soil and are struggling to stay alive,” which is having a major impact on the state’s farmers.
In fact, the part of the state which is suffering the most is the area where most of Georgia’s cotton, tobacco, soybeans, corn, and other row crops are grown.
Knox said two weeks ago that many streams and ponds are completely dry already, especially in southwest Georgia, “but really in many places.” The spring forage has not come up, she said, and the farmers have exhausted their hay supplies.
(GA. NEWS NETWORK CONTRIBUTED TO THIS STORY)