Recent rains don't dent drought

Recent rains have barely eased drought conditions covering Georgia. A U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday found that drought conditions were largely unchanged from a July 1 report. Drought still covers most of Georgia and the Carolinas. An early season heat wave and a lack of rain in June had worsened conditions that have gripped the Southeast for much of the last year.

Church opens doors to rain prayers

A Georgia church says it will open its doors every Wednesday to pray for rain and the end to Georgia’s drought. The Newnan Church of Christ says it will continue the practice until the drought ends. Doors will be open from noon until 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and again from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

North Georgia Gets Thanksgiving Rains

November marked the end of Georgia’s long, dry season. Thanksgiving week brought two inches of rain across North GA, where the drought hit hardest.

But, officials said it’s not enough to make a difference. That’s because the soil around Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona is so dry, the rain made almost no change in water levels.

State climatologist David Stooksbury said getting through the winter is possible, but without rain, 2008 could mean even more damage to Georgia.

“I think we will muddle though the winter with winter rains, good conservation and good management of our water resources. My real concern is next June through October,” said Stooksbury.

As long as officials continue to let more water out of the lakes than comes in, no amount of winter rains will help deter the possibility of running out of water next dry season, said Stooksbury.

Perdue leads prayer for rain at Capitol

Governor Sonny Perdue called upon a higher power to help drought-ravaged Georgia.

On the steps of the state Capitol in Atlanta today, Perdue led a prayer service asking for rain. Religious leaders and politicians were among the 300 or so spectators on hand for the event.

Perdue called for the service last week, and opened it today.

"We’ve come together very simply for one reason, and one reason only. To very reverently, and respectively...pray up a storm".

Perdue invited three local pastors to speak, including Dr. Gil Watson.

"Have mercy on us and grant us rain Lord, because we need rain all the way from the Blue Ridge mountains to the Okefenokee".

Perdue then closed the service.

"Father forgive us, and lead us to honor you, as you honor us with the showers of your blessings. Thank you Lord, for the rain to come".

The service was not hailed by everyone. A local secular group had about a dozen members protesting a block away. They said the rally violated the principle of separation of church and state.