By Clint Thompson
Increased drought conditions are starting to flare up in North Georgia, while central and southern Florida remains dry, according to last week’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Abnormally dry areas are being observed in the northwest part of Georgia. They start along the Georgia-Alabama state line in Troup, Heard, Carroll and Haralson counties; stretch eastward to Jasper, Putnam, Baldwin and Jones counties; and stretch northward to Bartow, Cherokee and Fulton counties.
A couple of areas in Alabama are abnormally dry as well. One is located along the Alabama-Georgia state line in parts of Cleburne, Randolph, Chambers and Clay counties. The other is located along the Alabama-Mississippi state line in parts of Pickens, Lamar and Fayette counties.
Severe drought conditions remain in counties located in central and southern Florida. They start as far north as Hillsborough, Polk, Osceola and Brevard counties and stretch southward to Charlotte, Glades and Martin counties. Parts of Collier, Hendry, Palm Beach and Broward counties are severely dry as well.
The southern areas of Monroe and Miami-Dade counties are abnormally dry.
The northeastern region of Florida is also abnormally dry. It starts in Duval County and stretches southward along the east coast to Volusia County where moderate dry conditions are observed. Abnormally dry conditions move westward as well into Bradford and Alachua counties.
Sporadic areas in the eastern region of South Carolina are abnormally dry, while a few areas in the eastern area of North Carolina are abnormally dry as well.