Few changes in drought conditions

There have been few changes in drought conditions despite heavy rainfall in recent weeks. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

There have been few changes in drought conditions despite heavy rainfall in recent weeks. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

Despite heavy rainfall in recent weeks, the drought isn’t getting much better in Georgia.

Coastal counties from Camden to Effingham were off the dry weather monitor altogether earlier in December, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. But much of Camden County experienced “abnormally dry” conditions again recently.

“Abnormally dry” is the lowest level of the Drought Monitor and a far cry from parts of Cobb and Cherokee counties, which were in the Drought Monitor’s worst category, “exceptional.”

Other parts of metro Atlanta are still in a “severe” drought, the third-worst category.

Water levels at Lake Lanier, Atlanta’s source of drinking water, decreased slightly from 1,060.75 feet last week to 1,060.47 Friday. The full pool level is 1,071 feet

Rainfall last seven days: 0.14

Rainfall this month: 2.20

Rainfall deficit for the year: 10.74

Rainfall deficit since Dec. 1: 0.62

Values in inches as of Thursday