Rainfall eases area dry spell, low-level dought

by Kate Evans

Recent welcome rains may have helped the area avert a serious dry spell.  However, according to the United States Drought Monitor Classification system, the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, along with much of the state, is classified right now as abnormally dry — the lowest level of drought. Data is current as of August 10 on their August 12 map.

A strip of counties or partial counties near the central part of…