From Sept. 23-28, Graham County was hit by heavy rainfall, partly from a weather system already in place and from the remnants of Hurricane Helene hard on its heels.
A rain gauge in the Hares Creek community recorded 12.75 inches of rain during the period, the most recorded in that location since 1968. Snowbird resident Nathan Stewart reported over 15 inches of rain in the community.
Oddly enough, some area stream levels did not rise as quickly or as much as they did in the past from less rainfall. This may be attributed to the fact that we have been in a drought and the dry ground soaked up much of the rain.
Before the rain, the U.S. Drought Monitor listed Graham County as being in a severe drought, the third of five levels of drought (with five being the driest level). To be listed in a severe drought, an area has to be at least 50 percent below average on rainfall, with adverse impacts on people, animals, crops and an increased fire danger to forest land.
The drought index is updated weekly, on Thursdays.