WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |Governor Announces Drought Emergencies in 15 More Counties

Governor Announces Drought Emergencies in 15 More Counties

Press Release:

Gov. Bob Riley announced that 15 more Alabama counties are experiencing a drought emergency, bringing the state total to 53 counties.  The announcement came after the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs' Office of Water Resources issued a revised advisory declaring severe drought conditions throughout the state.

OWR issued the drought declarations based on a review of current and anticipated hydrologic conditions, including rainfall, streamflow, reservoir and soil moisture levels.  Record rainfall deficits and low streamflow and reservoir levels place the majority of the state in an extreme drought with conditions likely to worsen.

Counties added to the drought emergency status, the most severe drought declaration, are: Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike and Russell.

The 12 counties remaining in drought warning status, the next most severe category, include: Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dallas, Escambia, Marengo, Monroe, Washington and Wilcox. The remaining two counties, Mobile and Baldwin, are listed in a drought watch status.

"With the lack of rain and extreme temperatures, conditions have worsened significantly," Riley said.  "Already this is a drought of historic proportions and we are just now entering the driest part of the year.  I urge Alabamians to follow conservation recommendations, use water wisely and be prepared if conditions deteriorate further."

Public and private water systems, as well as other large users, are encouraged to carefully monitor conditions and prepare emergency procedures in the event that the situation worsens.  Drought declaration updates will continue throughout the summer as necessary and will be available on the Office of Water Resources' Web site at www.adeca.alabama.gov/water.