The Latest on the drought in the southern United States (all times local):
9 a.m.
Forecasters say a “flash drought” is intensifying across the southern United States.
A new report out Thursday shows that severe and extreme drought conditions are spreading into more parts of the South.
The U.S. Drought Monitor report also shows that nearly 56 million people in parts of 16 states are now living in some type of drought conditions.
The drought has drained ponds, hurt crops and worried farmers across several southern states.
Now, farmers are concerned about the long-term outlook as late October is typically among the driest periods in the South.
———
1 a.m.
Across a vast expanse of the South spanning from Texas to Maryland, there are growing concerns for the cattle, cotton and corn amid a worsening drought that has been fueled this past summer by record hot temperatures.
One of the bullseyes marking the nation’s driest areas is Bartow County, Georgia, where extreme drought conditions have kicked up buckets of dust and left cattle pastures bare.
The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report shows the county is among the hardest-hit areas in more than 12 Southern states where more than 45 million residents are living in some type of drought conditions.
Now, farmers are concerned about the long-term outlook as late October is typically among the driest periods in the South.
A new drought report is expected later Thursday showing how far it has spread.