MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) -- The active rainy season in Florida and Georgia has effectively wiped away any excessive dryness and drought conditions for the region.
The June 29 Drought Monitor update eliminated all drought categories from the state of Florida. One month ago, extreme drought existed in east-central Florida, and Moderate Drought was placed over the Suwannee Valley. Ample tropical moisture plus the timely start of the summertime rain cycle in the state created above-average rainfall amounts, and made the Sunshine State free of drought for the first time since July 2016.
In southern Georgia, generous rain also occurred, knocking the drought levels down to isolated patches of abnormal dryness in the Flint River valley.
Tropical Storm Cindy contributed to rainfall in the Southeast that nearly doubled the average amounts for June in some sections. Other Abnormally Dry areas are confined to a section of north-central Georgia and northeastern Mississippi.
The worst drought conditions in the U.S. are located in the High Plains states, particularly North and South Dakota. Wildfires flaring in Arizona and southern California are occurring in Moderate Drought situations there.
