Spring Rains Ease, But Don't End Drought in the Southeast
Associated Press
2008-05-21 09:00:00.0
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Beneficial rainfall across the Southeast has raised concern that the public and politicians are ignoring warnings about the region's drought situation.
Government forecasters warn that the crisis is far from over and could soon grow worse.
Most of the Southeast has gotten 10 to 20 inches of rain over the past three months. Some 8% of the region is now in "extreme" drought, and none of the region is in "exceptional" drought, the worst category.
Officials in Alexander City rejoiced when recent rains helped fill Lake Martin. It meant they no longer had to rely on an expensive pumping system to draw their water.
It's also given farmers a reprieve from wilting crops.
Stuart Sanderson, a northern Alabama farmer who raises wheat, cotton and soybeans, said he is worried about June and July, when his crops will need the rain the most.
Tony Young, a water control manager with the Army Corps of Engineers, said the situation is better, but he said there's still a full summer ahead.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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