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Dry, dry...and now hot too!
The drought that has plagued the state for weeks continues, too. There have been a few scattered showers but not nearly enough to make up for the 12-inch deficit the state is suffering. Some say this is the worst drought the state has experienced in 100 years of record keeping. It may be of little comfort to Clarke County residents with parched yards and gardens, but the weathermen say central and north Alabama are in much worse shape with far drier conditions than south Alabama. See the map at right for an illustration of the drought statewide. Even timbermen who- who almost never want it to rain since it stops their logging- say rain is needed now. Most area water systems are keeping up with the demand for water, despite the extra watering that has been going on. Municipal and local water system managers do urge people to be as conservative as they can in their usage. All burning has been banned in north Alabama. South Alabama is under a fire alert that limits the issuance of burn permits, said Benji Elmore of the Alabama Forestry Commission. Elmore urged people not to burn anything outdoors if at all possible because of the dry conditions. "Unless we get significant rain we may be placed under a 'no burn' order later, in time to shut down fireworks for July 4, but that hasn't happened yet," he said. Alabama Power has announced that it will reduce water levels on lakes Jordan, Mitchell and Lay because of the dry weather. Levels may also be reduced at Miller's Ferry Lock and Dam on the Alabama River in Wilcox County which could severely impact the already low water levels in the Dannelly Reservoir above the dam. The drought has greatly affected summer hay cutting for farmers. There is little or no hay to cut because of the lack of rain on hay fields. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Alabama Farmers Federation is helping Alabama farmers locate hay.
Available hay is listed on the federation's website, www.AlfaFarmers.org. Farmers interested in listing hay for sale on the website may contact Mike Shewbart with the ag department at 256-246-1543 or Perry Mobley, 334- 613-4221.
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