Amazing how quickly things change — even situations we think might never change.
Much needed rain crossed our state. Some of us believe it was an answered prayer.
One thing is for sure: There was drought in North Georgia. Now it’s gone, according to one widely respected source, the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM).
USDM is created and compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
USDM’s report of February 5th reminds us that our recent weather was “… dominated by a strong frontal passage that produced a tornado outbreak on January 29-30. In the two-day period, there were 78 reports of tornadoes … 65 on January 29th and 13 on January 30th.”
Tennessee had the largest number of reported tornadoes — 19 — that hit Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
This low-pressure system dumped above normal precipitation from the Southern Plains into the Midwest and from the Deep South through upstate New York.
Thankfully, the Southeast received a wealth of rainfall. In the words of the USDM: “Areas of Exceptional (D3), Severe (D2) and Moderate Drought (D1) as well as Abnormal Dryness (D0) were alleviated from northeast Alabama, through northern Georgia and up the Appalachians into Virginia. Tennessee and Kentucky also saw eradication of Abnormal Dryness (D0) in the western parts of their states. Conversely, Exceptional Drought (D3) expanded in southern Georgia and Moderate Drought (D1) expanded in southern Alabama and Mississippi. Moderate Drought (D1) was introduced in South Florida.”
At 6 AM on Thursday, February 7, 2013, Lake Lanier was almost exactly six feet below full pool.
And it’s still raining.
