By Clint Thompson
The March 5 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows extreme conditions covering almost all of Florida, all of South Georgia and parts of Alabama.
Florida
Extreme conditions in North Florida start in the Panhandle in Walton and Holmes counties, stretch to the east coast in Nassau, Duval, Saint Johns and Flagler counties; and as far south as Citrus and Sumter counties. Central Florida is mostly observing severe and moderate drought conditions, while extreme conditions in southern Florida start in Hillsborough and Polk counties and stretch all the way to Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Georgia
Despite sporadic rain events in southern Georgia, most of the region is observing extreme drought conditions. They start in Seminole and Early counties in Southwest Georgia, stretch to the east coast in Camden, Glynn, McIntosh, Liberty and Chatham counties, and as far north as Laurens, Treutlen, Emanuel and Johnson counties.
Extreme conditions are observed in the western part of the state in parts of Harris, Talbot, Meriwether, Upson, Crawford, Monroe and Lamar counties. Extreme conditions are also observed in Northeast Georgia in Lincoln and Wilkes counties, stretching northward to Hall, Banks, Franklin and Hart counties. Most of the rest of Georgia is experiencing either severe or moderate drought conditions.
Alabama
Three areas in Alabama are showing extreme drought conditions. One is in the southeast corner of the state in the very southern part of Houston County. Another is observed a few counties to the west in parts of Covington, Escambia, Conecuh, Monroe, Butler and Wilcox counties. The final area is located in the eastern part of the state along the Alabama-Georgia state line in parts of Lee, Macon, Tallapoosa and Chambers counties.
Most of South Alabama is experiencing severe and moderate drought conditions while the central and northern areas of the state are seeing abnormally dry and moderately dry conditions.