After a dry 2016, Alabama is finally drought-free for the fist time in over a year.
An analysis from the University of Nebraska revealed that recent rains have completely eliminated drought conditions in Alabama that began back in April of last year. Since that time, at least one percent of the state has been classified as being in a drought for 60 weeks in a row. The period was Alabama’s first drought since 2007.
Heavy rains from Topical Storm Cindy helped the situation, but northwest Alabama is still considered to be “abnormally dry.” That condition, which is one classification below drought, covers approximately 1.5 percent of the state. That includes Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion and Lamar Counties.
According to the National Drought Mitigation Center, the entire state of Alabama was in a drought for an eight week period late last fall. The drought especially devastated crop farmers in the state, who were harmed by the dry conditions and water restrictions. However, the numbers show that the state has improved incrementally since that time.
Mississippi, which has experienced similar conditions to Alabama, is also now drought free. The northeastern corner of that state is still also considered abnormally dry. However, another Alabama neighbor, Georgia, is still experiencing drought conditions.
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