Stephens Co. Still Seeing Exceptional Drought

Drought conditions are improving slightly in parts of northeast Georgia after recent rains, but Stephens County remains in exceptional drought.

According to the latest drought monitor that was released on Thursday, essentially all of Stephens County remained in exceptional drought, which is the most severe category on the drought monitor.

There is a very small sliver of Stephens County along Lake Hartwell that dropped back into extreme drought, which is a step below exceptional drought.

Also dropping back from exceptional to extreme drought are Rabun County and northern Habersham County.

Essentially all of Franklin County and all of Banks County also remain in exceptional drought, along with Stephens County.

Statewide, 27 percent of Georgia is in exceptional drought, which is down from 33 percent a week ago.

The entire state is considered to be either in drought or abnormally dry conditions.

In addition, Stephens, Franklin, and Rabun counties remain in Level One Drought Status with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, while Habersham and Banks counties remain in Level Two Drought Status.

Under a Level One Drought Response, public water systems like the city of Toccoa are required to spread a message to consumers to conserve water, but there are no mandatory restrictions put in place.

Meanwhile, with a Level Two Drought Response, mandatory water restrictions are put in place.