Much of the region is in what is known as a hydrological drought, meaning stream and reservoir levels are low, and rainfall hasn't been enough to recharge the systems. Lake Lanier, the primary water source for metropolitan Atlanta, is about 10 feet below normal. And Florida's Lake Kissimmee, the largest feeder lake to Okeechobee, rose only 3 inches after receiving an above-average 5.5 inches of rain in March. Mark Svoboda, a climatologist at the National Drought Mitigation Center in Lincoln, Neb., says the forecasts for May through July are looking for normal precipitation. At best, that means maintaining the status quo, he says.
Opinions vary wildly on the future.
O'Brien has declared the drought over in north Florida. But in Georgia, Stooksbury says the recent rains don't tell him much. Back in Concord, where restaurants are using paper plates and people are being asked to limit showers to four minutes and sprinkle lawns only with watering cans, people are looking for help from above. Arne Fennel, who just happens to be chairman of the Cabarrus County Commission, presented a proclamation asking every citizen of the county to pray for rain throughout April. The measure passed unanimously, and government bodies from as far away as Florida and Oregon have asked for copies.