By Clint Thompson
Abnormally dry conditions are expanding across the Southeast, especially in southern Alabama, northern Georgia and Florida Panhandle, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Alabama’s dry conditions range from abnormally dry to moderately dry and are largely concentrated to the southern half of the state, especially in southeast Alabama in counties like Covington, Geneva, Butler, Crenshaw, Coffee, Dale, Houston and Henry. North Alabama is also moderately dry in Marion, Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale, Limestone and Madison counties.
Georgia’s abnormally dry conditions stretch from Fannin, Union and Towns counties in the northern part of the state, stretching southward to Crisp and Wilcox counties. An area along the Georgia-Alabama state line in southwest Georgia is dry, including Early, Miller, Seminole, Decatur and Grady counties.
Florida’s dry conditions in the Panhandle start in Escambia County and stretch to Gadsden County. Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Jackson and part of Gadsden counties are moderately dry.
Hurricane Ian provided much needed rainfall to South Carolina and North Carolina. Only a small area in the western part of South Carolina is abnormally dry. Only a small area in the lower western corner of North Carolina is abnormally dry as well.