By Clint Thompson
The Southeast region continues to observe expansion of extreme drought throughout North Florida and South Florida, along with South Georgia. This is according to the Feb. 19 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Florida
Extreme conditions in the Florida Panhandle start as far west in Walton and Holmes counties, stretching eastward to Nassau, Duval and Saint Johns counties and southward to Citrus, Sumter, Lake and Volusia counties. Extreme conditions in the southern part of the state start as far south as Hillsborough, Polk and Brevard counties and stretch southward to Monroe and Miami-Dade counties.
The rest of the state is still observing moderate and severe drought conditions.
Georgia
Extreme conditions in South Georgia start in the southwest corner of the state in Seminole and Early counties; stretches eastward to Ware and Charlton counties and northeastward to Bryan and Chatham counties; and northward to Laurens, Johnson and Emanuel counties.
A separate area in west Georgia is observing extreme drought conditions as well. It is located in all or parts of Chattahoochee, Muscogee, Harris, Talbot, Marion, Taylor, Crawford, Monroe, Meriwether and Upson counties. Another extreme drought area is located in the northeast part of the state, including all or parts of Lincoln, Wilkes, Oglethorpe, Oconee, Clarke, Walton, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Elbert and Hart counties.
Alabama
A couple of areas in Alabama are observing extreme drought conditions. One is located in the southern part of the state, including Covington, Escambia, Conecuh, Monroe, Wilcox and Butler counties. The other with extreme drought is observed in the southeastern part of the state, including Bullock, Macon, Russell and Lee counties. The southeastern part of the state includes mostly severe drought conditions.
Southwest Alabama has moderate drought conditions, as does most of North Alabama and along the Alabama-Georgia state line. Abnormal drought conditions are seen in central Alabama and other areas in northern Alabama.