Rainfall good for Lanier, more beneficial farther south

GAINESVILLE - Georgia's state climatologist said recent rains have been a good thing for our area, but he said they really made a difference farther south.

State Climatologist Bill Murphey said while Lake Lanier saw between one and two inches of rain recently, Macon, Augusta and Columbus were the big winners from the recent wet weather. Gainesville has recorded 1.51" since a week ago Monday.

"We still need some more down there, but we'll take anything we can get," he said.

Murphey said that's where the drought was considered exceptional.

Most of North Georgia is considered "abnormally dry" or in a "moderate drought," according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.