While there's still a long way to go before Georgia is considered 'out of the woods' when it comes to drought conditions, the scattered rainfall over the past week has helped ease conditions a bit.
The latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday, Oct. 24, indicates dry conditions continue to cover the entire state; however, all levels of drought have decreased from 97.96 percent a week ago to 88.56 percent this week.
Hall County, along with a swath of other counties in North Georgia, continues to be impacted by extreme drought, meaning the ground continues to crack and agricultural ventures are suffering, among other things. Extreme drought now covers 5.72 percent of the state compared to 16.12 percent a week ago.
This past Friday, state environmentalists called for a Level 1 Drought Response in 103 Georgia counties, asking officials in those counties to implement water conservation measures.
The level of Lake Lanier continues to be impacted by lack of rainfall. The level at noon on Thursday was 1066.75 - just over four feet below full pool.
Rain is in the forecast for the next seven days with the heaviest showers expected Friday and Saturday.
