Drought worsens across Georgia

74 of 159 Georgia counties are now considered in extreme drought--that assessment from the state’s climatologist. David Stooksbury says the number of counties with that condition has doubled since an assessment made earlier this month. Rainfall deficits are growing, and stream flows are at record low levels. The extreme drought designation is a condition seen once every 50 years.

Statewide, there are already restrictions limit watering to only a few days a week. State officials are considering tougher restrictions if things worsen, perhaps watering to one weekend day--or a ban altogether.