Most of north Georgia now 'drought free'

UNDATED - Most of Georgia begins 2012 under "extreme" drought conditions but all but a few counties in north Georgia - including Hall and Stephens and a part of Habersham, are considered "drought free."

The U.S. Drought Monitor says the area from south metro Atlanta to near Moultrie and Tifton and from LaGrange and Columbus eastward to near Waycross and part of the coast are considered extremely dry. This area also includes Augusta, Macon, Albany and Savannah.

But virtually all of north Georgia is now free of drought.

Some of the exceptions are all of Hall and Stephens counties and the southern portion of Habersham.

The whole state spent most of last year dealing with one degree or another of drought.