COLUMBIA, S.C. — A special state committee says South Carolina is drought free for the first time in nearly two years.
[FORECAST: Highs peak in the 90s ahead of afternoon storm threat]
The South Carolina Drought Response Committee voted earlier this week to remove 13 mostly western counties from incipient, which is the first level of drought. It's the first time the state has been drought-free since July 2016.
State Climatologist Hope Mizzell says most of South Carolina has seen above normal rainfall through the winter and spring. Some areas have seen up to 12 inches of rain in the past two weeks.
Officials say the rain has filled lakes, kept streams and rivers flowing and reduced the fire danger in South Carolina.
There has been a downside. Some farmers say their fields have been too wet to plant crops.
Associated Press
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