Drought — Coastal Camden, Georgia

2006-12-01 to 2006-12-15 · Coastal Camden, Georgia

Event narrative

The Camden County Agricultural Agent reports that along the Satilla River, saltwater impoundment has pushed fresh water fish back across the commercial salt water line, resulting in an inability to fish for freshwater catfish. This has cost an estimated two thousand a month in losses.

Wider weather episode

An ongoing dry period has continued from early January through the current date, 15 December 2006. Many ASOS and CO-OP stations are 8 to 14 inches below normal for the year to date. Aerial precipitation analysis from the Southeast River Forecast Center indicates some areas may be over 20 inches below normal for the year to date (12/15/06). This is especially true over portions of Coffee, Atkinson, Echols, Clinch, Charlton and Ware Counties. Portions of Coffee, Atkinson, Clinch and western Ware Counties have only received 25 to 50 percent of normal precipitation for the year to date. From Clinch County EMA, numerous wells have dried up along with some small stream beds dry. No monetary damages reported however the fire danger is characterized as extreme.

Based upon visual inspection by an NWS employee, the Satilla River, near U.S. Highway 1 between Waycross and Dixie Union, has almost stopped flowing with pools of water in the river bed connected by small streams.

In Bacon County an agricultural official (The Bacon County Young Farmers Advisor) reported significant drought related distress to the farming community. Wells have gone dry and in some cases water must be trucked in for irrigation. Some farmers report the drought is close to putting them out of business and some feel it is the most significant drought since 1953-54 in Bacon County.

In Camden County the Ag Agent reports, the drought has halted land clearing operations throughout the county. This has caused delays in work schedules and has caused construction companies fines from not being able to complete work on time along with being able to keep employees. They estimate losses in the tens of thousands. Additionally, on the Satilla River, saltwater impoundment has pushed fresh water fish back across the commercial salt water line, resulting in an inability to fish for freshwater catfish. This has cost an estimated two thousand a month in losses.

In Charlton County, the western portions of the county are very dry with some areas of the Okefenokee Swamp now dry. Some wells up to 300 feet deep are dry. Stress on pine trees on Brunt Fort Road observed by NWS WFO Jacksonville WCM during travel.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 677. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.