By Clint Thompson
Much needed rainfall this past week alleviated much of the dry conditions being felt across the Southeast, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
In Florida, much of the Panhandle now has sufficient moisture. Escambia County and Santa Rose County are either abnormally dry or moderately dry. Okaloosa County is also abnormally dry. The dry conditions are also felt in the northeast region of the state, including Nassau County, Duval County, Hamilton County, Columbia County, Suwanee County, Lafayette County, Dixie County, Gilchrist County, Levy County and parts of Alachua County, Taylor County and Madison County.
The bulk of Georgia’s abnormally dry conditions are only isolated to the southeast part of the state. It starts in Echols County and moves along the Atlantic Coast to Bryan County and Chatham County. A small portion in north Georgia, including Fannin County, Union County and part of Towns County, Gilmer County and Dawson County are abnormally dry as well.
Southwest Alabama remains either abnormally dry or moderately dry. The most severe areas include Sumter County, Choctaw County, Marengo County, Clarke County, Mobile County and Baldwin County.
The dry conditions continue to be prevalent in South Carolina and North Carolina, though.
Most of South Carolina’s north-to-northeast areas are either abnormally dry or moderately dry. The most severe areas include Marlboro County, Dillon County, Horry County, Marion County, Florence County, Williamsburg County and Clarendon County.
All but a few isolated areas in North Carolina are either abnormally dry or moderately dry. The counties that are in a moderate drought include Wilkes, Surry, Yadkin, Alexander, Iredell, Davie, Rowan, Catawba, Lincoln, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Stanly, Union, Anson, Richmond, Scotland, Hoke, Robeson and Onslow.