By Clint Thompson
A week of rainy weather did a lot to reduce the drought-like conditions being experienced across the Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia and Florida, according to the June 25 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Alabama
One of the driest parts of Alabama remains in the southeastern part of the state. But it has been reduced to abnormally dry conditions. They start in the eastern half of Houston County, expand westward to Conecuh, Monroe and Wilcox counties and northward to Lowndes, Montgomery, Bulloch and part of Russell counties.
Moderate drought is observed in a couple of counties in Northwest Alabama, including Lawrence, Franklin, Colbert and Lauderdale. The surrounding area is still experiencing abnormally dry conditions. A couple of counties in Northeast Alabama, including DeKalb, Cherokee, Jackson and Etowah are experiencing abnormally dry conditions as well.
Georgia
While South Georgia continues to experience drought-like conditions, they are now mostly moderate or abnormally dry conditions. Moderate conditions start in the southern parts of Grady and Thomas counties, expand eastward to Camden, Glynn, McIntosh and northward to Bulloch and Screven counties.
Severe drought is seen in North Georgia in all or parts of Lumpkin, White, Habersham, Rabun, Towns, Union, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Whitfield and Catoosa counties. Moderate drought in North Georgia extends from Dade, Walker and Catoosa counties southward to Haralson, Carroll and Fulton counties. A small area of counties in the central part of the state has sufficient moisture.
Florida
North Florida is still experiencing extreme drought conditions. They start in Gulf and Franklin counties, extend as far east as Duval, Clay and Putnam counties, and as far south as Levy County. Extreme drought is observed down the west coast of Florida in Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties.
Severe and moderate drought conditions cover most of the remaining areas in Florida.