Drought Lessens in Parts of Region

Recent rains have eased drought conditions in Stephens County and other areas of northeast Georgia.

According to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report released on Thursday, Stephens County has dropped from extreme drought back into severe drought since the start of the month.

Also, most of Habersham County and far western Stephens County along the Habersham County line have dropped from extreme drought all the way to moderate drought.

At the start of August, extreme drought was also covering all of Franklin, Hart, and Banks counties.

However, the drought monitor released Thursday shows that extreme drought has moved out of Hart County, eastern Franklin County, and far northeastern Banks County.

Parts of Franklin County, especially the western part of the county, and most of Banks County remain in extreme drought, as does the most southern part of Habersham County, near the Hall County line.

Looking statewide, extreme drought conditions are actually up slightly though, from under 9 percent of the state last week to over 9 percent this week.

Also, nearly 71 percent of the state is experiencing some sort of dry or drought conditions this week, up from just over 68 percent a week ago.

Areas of Georgia not experiencing dry or drought conditions include parts of southeast and southwest Georgia.

Dry conditions remain the worst in the northern half of the state.