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Latest stats show nearly all of Alabama in severe drought

The latest federal estimate shows nearly the entire state of Alabama is in a severe drought.

An assessment released by the National Drought Mitigation Center today shows that about 98 percent of the state's land mass is now locked in a severe drought after weeks without rain.

The severity of the drought varies. About 82 percent of the state is in an extreme drought, and 35 percent is experiencing an exceptional drought. That's the worst of all the drought categories.

Only eastern Baldwin County and western Escambia County have had anywhere close to normal rainfall.

Streams and lakes are drying up statewide, and wildfires have burned more than 11,000 acres in the last month.

Showers moved across parts of the state today, but forecasters say no drought-ending storms are predicted.

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