Despite Low Lake Levels, Water Restrictions Not Being Implemented At This Time Due To Exceptional Drought Conditions

img_2913With virtually no rain over the last several months, Exceptional Drought Conditions have dramatically worsened across Alabama as expected.

In fact, the drought in Alabama is the worst since 2007 when 99.97 percent of the state was classified as having drought conditions ranging from moderate to exceptional. In the latest update from the U.S. drought monitor, 98.48 percent of the state is covered by those ranges.

A drought emergency has been declared for 28 north Alabama counties and an outdoor burn ban is in place for all 67 counties of the state.

According to the latest forecast rain is expected on Friday and into Saturday night but will do little to slow the drought conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

On Wednesday we spoke with several of the county’s public water works offices concerning any forthcoming water restrictions – Cedar Bluff Utilities Board Manager Jeff Harrell says that at this time the water supply in Cedar Bluff is stable and that levels are normal, Johnny Jordan with Northeast Alabama Water likewise stated that levels at the Waterloo Springs Plant, which serves much of Cherokee County appear to be normal as well.

David Garrett, Manager at Centre Works & Sewer said at this time no water restrictions are being enforced. Garrett said that their supply levels are in line with where they need to be at this time, however should they drop they already have a plan in place to position a pump on a barge in the river channel.

Drought conditions are also wrecking havoc on the road conditions throughout the county, County Engineer Corey Chambers says that several main roadways are beginning to crack due to dry conditions causing ‘bumps’ in the road in places such as Alabama Highway 9 on the Causeway between Centre and Cedar Bluff.

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