By Clint Thompson
Drought-like conditions have worsened in certain areas of the Southeast, especially in north Georgia, south Alabama and northwest Florida, according to last Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
All of Alabama is either abnormally dry, moderately dry or severely dry, except for a small area of counties located along the Alabama-Georgia state line; specifically, Lee, Russell and Barbour counties.
The driest conditions are felt in the southern counties, particularly Baldwin, Escambia and Covington counties. The majority of the state, though, is abnormally dry.
The northeast region of Georgia is mostly severely dry. It starts as far south as Twiggs and Wikinson counties and stretches northward to Fannin, Union and Towns counties. Southwest Georgia is either abnormally dry or moderately dry. The dry conditions start in Early and Seminole counties along the Georgia-Alabama state line and stretch eastward to Clinch and Atkinson counties and upward to the central part of the state.
The Florida Panhandle is severely dry, starting in Escambia County and stretching eastward to Jefferson and Taylor counties. Moderate dry conditions then stretch to Columbia and Gilchrist counties.
South Carolina’s driest conditions are located along the western border of the state and also in the northeast part of the state.
North Carolina is either abnormally dry or moderately dry in the central and eastern parts of the state.