ATLANTA (AP)- Georgia's drought grew worse over the past week
as "exceptional'' dry conditions spread through the northeast corner of the state.

Some 12 percent of the state is now locked in exceptional drought conditions, the government's worst category. About one percent of the state was in that category last week.

State climatologist David Stooksbury said Thursday the conditions ripping the region have grown harsher as water levels in reservoirs and streams plumb record lows.

He also said Lake Lanier and other key reservoirs may not fully recover this winter even with normal rain levels.

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