Video, Maps: Recent Rains Vs. SE Drought

Some areas in the Southeast got significant rainfall last week... over 5 inches from west-central Tennessee up into Kentucky, in parts of Virginia and the eastern Carolinas...

MAPS FROM THE NWS Gauge-Adjusted Doppler-Precip Site

It will make October 2007 the first month to feature widespread above-normal precipitation in the Southeast since late 2006. But don't expect it to make much difference in the Drought Monitor when it's updated on Thursday...

MOST RECENT MAP FROM NOAA Drought Monitor

Because much of the area is still way below normal, to the tune of over 20 inches in parts of Alabama, which didn't get the heavy rainfall that other areas received last week.

Here is some footage from our ABC affiliates of drought-racked areas in Georgia (from ABC News):

NOTE: THE VIDEO ABOVE MAY BE PRECEDED BY ADVERTISEMENTS

And in North Carolina (from WTVD):

NOTE: THE VIDEO ABOVE MAY BE PRECEDED BY ADVERTISEMENTS

The low water level at Lake Allatoona in Emerson, Ga., is shown Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007. Almost a third of the Southeast is covered by an "exceptional" drought, the worst drought category. (AP Photo)