2 state leaders to host ‘Pray for Rain’ event in response to drought

A congressman and the state’s top agriculture official will lead a “Pray for Rain” event to hopefully end Georgia’s drought.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture announced Thursday that U.S. Rep. Doug Collins of the 9^th Congressional District and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black will host the gathering Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., at 1269 E. Main St. in Lavonia, Ga.

“Please join Congressman Collins and Commissioner Black as they discuss the drought facing Georgia’s agricultural community, and to pray for the rain Georgia so desperately needs,” the news release says.

The U.S. Drought Monitor’s report, as of Oct. 25, estimates 77 percent of Georgians (7.9 million out of 10.2 million) are living in drought conditions, ranging from D1 (moderate drought) to D2 (severe drought) to D3 (extreme drought) and D4 (exceptional drought).

Most of the Columbus area is at D2. The northwest corner of Muscogee County and most of Harris County are at D3. The northwest corner of Harris County and most of Troup County are at D4.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the percentage of topsoil moisture in Georgia rated as short or very short is 73 percent.

This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 6:24 PM with the headline "2 state leaders to host ‘Pray for Rain’ event in response to drought."