Drought continues to wreak havoc in the Southeast region. In the April 16 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, conditions are worsening across North Florida, South Georgia and Southeast Alabama.
Florida
Exceptional drought is being observed over a large portion of the North Florida area, starting in Gulf, Calhoun and Jackson counties, spreading eastward to Alachua, Union and Baker counties. Extreme drought in the region expands westward to parts of Santa Rose, Okaloosa and Walton counties and eastward to the coast, while covering most of southern Florida.
Severe and moderate drought cover the remaining areas of the state.
Georgia
South Georgia remains the area hardest hit by the lack of rainfall in the state. Exceptional drought starts in the southwest corner of the state in Seminole and Miller counties; expands eastward to Charlton, Brantley, Wayne, Long, Liberty and Bryan counties; and northward to Montgomery, Toombs, Emanuel, Candler and Bulloch counties. Extreme drought conditions cover remaining areas in South Georgia, leading into the central part of the state.
Extreme drought is spreading across North Georgia as well; starting as far south as Henry, Butts, Jasper and Morgan counties; expanding northward to the Georgia-North Carolina border; and as far west as Walker and Catoosa counties.
Alabama
Southeast Alabama is covered in extreme drought conditions. They start in Houston and Henry counties; expand westward to Escambia, Conecuh, Monroe and Wilcox counties; and as far north as Tallapoosa, Chambers and Lee counties.
Most of western Alabama is observing a severe drought, starting in Mobile and Baldwin counties in the Gulf, stretching northward to Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties. North Alabama is also experiencing severe drought conditions, stretching as far south as Winston and Cullman counties.