Hamilton County and the surrounding region moved back into “Extreme Drought” classification this morning, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center.

An area from Cartersville, Ga., west into Alabama’s Northeast corner and north to Warren, Van Buren and Cumberland counties in Tennessee was reclassified upwards from severe to extreme, the center’s second highest level.

Parts of Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens counties in Georgia were notched up to the top category of “Exceptional.”

Brian Boyd, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tenn., said the classification is based on rainfall deficit, stream flow and reservoir levels, among other factors. He said Chattanooga has only received .01 inches of badly-needed rain this month.

“We were hoping that Tropical Storm Fay would come up this way, but she didn't,” Mr. Boyd said.

Spring rains have put the region in a better position than this time last year, but the fact that levels were so low to begin the year has only amplified the trouble.

“Drought is always cumulative,” he said. “The longer it goes, the worse it gets faster.”

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