COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - State officials have upgraded the drought status of five South Carolina counties, saying their water shortages are the most severe possible.
Greenville, Spartanburg, Oconee, Pickens and Cherokee counties are in "extreme drought," a label one official said had not been issued in the state since 2002.
Forecasters say northern parts of the state have seen rainfalls totals as much as 20 inches below normal in the past 12 months, marking the driest period in more than 60 years.
Farmers worry the drought will wipe out corn and soybean crops. Forestry officials say it has sparked more wildfires than normal. But the state Drought Response Committee did not suggest mandatory water restrictions when it met Monday.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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