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Recent storms helped relax Georgia's drought in roughly one-fifth of the state, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday.

Why it matters: Droughts reduce water flows and stress creeks and rivers, turn crops crispy and fuel wildfires like the recent blazes in south Georgia.

Zoom in: 56.5% of Georgia is experiencing extreme or exceptional drought, down from 78.7% one week ago, according to the weekly report.

Extreme drought conditions in north, southwest and central Georgia were downgraded to severe as of this past Tuesday. No areas saw drought conditions worsen.

What they're saying: "This week's improvement reflects the gradual recovery of soil moisture, streams, ponds and pasturelands," according to the Georgia state climatologist's office.

Most of the state has received more than 5 inches of rain over the past month, with some areas seeing double that amount.

Yes, but: The entire state is under some level of drought designation or abnormally dry, the lowest designation on the monitor's scale.

Parts of Georgia remain roughly 8 inches below average rainfall for the year, according to Atlanta News First's Ella Dorsey.

Flashback: One year ago, Georgia was relatively well watered, with roughly 90% of the state not under a drought designation.

Zoom out: The monitor estimates that 9.3 million people are living in drought areas in Georgia.

What's next: National Weather Service meteorologists in Peachtree City are forecasting daily chances for showers and thunderstorms through the week.

according to the Georgia state climatologist's office

according to Atlanta News First's Ella Dorsey

Georgia drought report: Blame it on the rain

Recent storms eased drought conditions in Georgia, but every part of the state remains dry.

Map of North Carolina showing drought intensity by county with color codes: D0 yellow, D1 beige, D2 orange, D3 red, D4 dark red; blue rivers run through; right panel lists intensity legend and release date.

Parts of central Georgia stepped down from extreme to severe drought. Graphic: U.S. Drought Monitor

Recent storms helped relax Georgia&#x27;s drought in roughly one-fifth of the state, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report released Thursday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.drought.gov/states/georgia" data-vars-content-id="0ac800f4-4e0f-44fc-b082-0244204da659" data-vars-headline="Georgia drought report: Blame it on the rain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.drought.gov/states/georgia" target="_blank">report released Thursday</a>.Why it matters: Droughts reduce water flows and stress creeks and rivers, turn crops crispy and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fuel wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/28/wildfire-season-2026" data-vars-content-id="0ac800f4-4e0f-44fc-b082-0244204da659" data-vars-headline="Georgia drought report: Blame it on the rain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/28/wildfire-season-2026" target="_self">fuel wildfires</a> like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/13/georgia-wildfires-increasing-la-nina-drought-hurricane-helene-debris" data-vars-content-id="0ac800f4-4e0f-44fc-b082-0244204da659" data-vars-headline="Georgia drought report: Blame it on the rain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/13/georgia-wildfires-increasing-la-nina-drought-hurricane-helene-debris" target="_self">recent</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blazes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/27/wildfires-burn-acres-drought-south-georgia" data-vars-content-id="0ac800f4-4e0f-44fc-b082-0244204da659" data-vars-headline="Georgia drought report: Blame it on the rain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/04/27/wildfires-burn-acres-drought-south-georgia" target="_self">blazes</a> in south Georgia.

Climate

Knowing is half the battle when you're fighting the war on boredom. 

Here are great events to get you out of the house.

🎼 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra music director Nathalie Stutzmann conducts Tchaikovsky's Pathétique. (Thurs.-Sat.)

🐰 Echo and the Bunnymen get moody at The Tabernacle. (Sat.)

💍 Richard Wagner's monumental Ring cycle comes to a conclusion with the awesomely named "Twilight of the Gods" at the Atlanta Opera. (Sat. w/ additional dates in June)

🚲 Atlanta Streets Alive sets up its no-cars-allowed party along Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard in the West End and Georgia Avenue in Grant Park. (Sun.)

👸 Hark! We beseech thee to attend the final weekend of the Georgia Renaissance Festival, verily. (through Sun.)

⚾️ Georgia Tech, UIC, The Citadel and Oklahoma face off for a weekend of baseball at the 2026 NCAA Atlanta Regional. (through Sun.)

🎤 Black Music Week brings performances and talks on music, technology and culture to Morehouse College. (through June 6)

🤣 The Atlanta Fringe Festival brings more than 245 live music, dance and creative performances, including a live-action comedic reimagining of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," to venues across town. (through June 7)

🥕 Markets to check out: Peachtree Road Farmers Market at Cathedral of St. Philip and Freedom Farmers Market at The Carter Center on Saturday.

Grant Park Farmers Market at The Beacon on Sunday.

Atlanta weekend planner: Symphony, Fringe Fest, baseball

Richard Wagner, Tchaikovsky, farmers markets and live comedy.

Illustration of a cassette tape with the tape unspooling to spell weekend. 

Illustration of lit marquee letters spelling "WEEKEND" sitting in a row of theater seats.

Knowing is half the battle when you&#x27;re fighting the war on boredom. Here are great events to get you out of the house.🎼 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra music director Nathalie Stutzmann conducts Tchaikovsky&#x27;s Pathétique. (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thurs.-Sat." data-vars-click-url="https://www.aso.org/events/detail/stutzmann-conducts-tchaikovsky" data-vars-content-id="1d2e10e3-4fe2-417e-b12d-f8c03425ef96" data-vars-headline="Atlanta weekend planner: Symphony, Fringe Fest, baseball" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aso.org/events/detail/stutzmann-conducts-tchaikovsky" target="_blank">Thurs.-Sat.</a>)

Things to Do

An effort to turn a hidden forest and pond on the outer edge of southwest Atlanta into a new park is gaining momentum.

Why it matters: The proposed Falling Water Park connects the community to 26.3 acres of deep woods and water a short walk from Campbellton Road.

Zoom in: A community-driven plan created in partnership with green space advocacy group Park Pride calls for trails and boardwalks crossing over Mount Gilead Lake, a wetland and a small creek.

The plan includes an overlook and other observation areas to watch the wildlife living in the woodland.

Fun fact: A fish cleaning station will be on-site in case you catch anything during your visit. (One fishing app says the pond is home to largemouth bass.)

Context: The proposed park, which is not currently open to the public, is sandwiched between an apartment community and Therrell High School and is half a mile from MARTA's planned Campbellton Road bus rapid transit line.

Driving the news: The project recently won $2 million in state funding generated by a tax on outdoor and recreation equipment.

What's next: The Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation has not set a construction timeline, a city spokesperson tells Axios. 

They note that the state grant requires winners to implement their projects within 24 months.

Falling Water Park could be Atlanta's next fishing hole

Plans call for trails, boardwalks and fishing access near Campbellton Road and Therrell High.

Rural scene with a brown pond edged by dense green trees; a grassy slope on the right hosts power lines and tall towers along a road, while cloudy skies loom overhead.

Mount Gilead Lake in the proposed Falling Water Park. Photo: Thomas Wheatley/Axios

An effort to turn a hidden forest and pond on the outer edge of southwest Atlanta into a new park is gaining momentum.Why it matters: The proposed Falling Water Park connects the community to 26.3 acres of deep woods and water a short walk from Campbellton Road.

Atlanta City Council members pressed Mayor Andre Dickens' administration for communication breakdowns during a boil water advisory issued over the Memorial Day weekend.

Why it matters: Amid the past week's rush-hour flood on the Downtown Connector and a mammoth fish kill on the Chattahoochee River, City Hall officials issued a boil water advisory that didn't land on the radar of many residents.

Zoom in: NotifyATL, the city's official notification system for emergency announcements and community events, has a 6% adoption rate, city officials said Tuesday at the council's Utilities Committee meeting.

Catch up quick: Department of Watershed Management Commissioner Greg Eyerly said an electrical issue caused two pumps to fail at the Hemphill Water Treatment Plant on Friday morning, leaving one pump in operation.

Crews were unable to identify the affected areas before water pressure dropped to levels that required a boil water advisory under state regulations, Eyerly said.

Yes, but: Council members raised concerns about delays and difficulties in communicating the boil water advisory to the public. 

They also asked why the executive branch hasn't fixed the alert system since the citywide water crisis that occurred almost two years ago.

What they're saying: "If we can bill people for their water, why can't we notify them?" asked Council member Liliana Bakhtiari. 

"We can collect their money. Why can't we give them updates that can impact their lives for the better?"

The other side: Atlanta chief operating officer LaChandra Burks praised the city agencies' teamwork at the meeting that became heated.

She said that committee members were stepping over a boundary by asking executive branch officials who should be responsible for emergency communications.

The communications response was a collaborative effort, Burks said, and the city's Office of Emergency Preparedness operates NotifyATL. 

Efforts to determine which areas fell within the advisory zone caused a delay, she said. 

What's next: Eyerly said the department will commission a third-party investigation into the Hemphill power failure, while administration officials said the city plans to review communication gaps.

Council members blast delays in boil water advisory alerts

City officials said they plan to review communication gaps.

Gray-haired woman in a blazer speaks at a podium with a microphone; audience behind. A blue banner shows "City of Atlanta" and "LACHANDRA BURKS, COO"; a LIVE badge is visible.

LaChandra Burks addresses the Atlanta City Council Utilities Committee on Tuesday. Screenshot: YouTube

Atlanta City Council members pressed Mayor Andre Dickens&#x27; administration for communication breakdowns during a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boil water advisory issued" data-vars-click-url="https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/mayor-s-office/executive-offices/office-of-communications/boil-water-advisory" data-vars-content-id="d0f89e57-902b-49a4-a78a-c2f2cb154375" data-vars-headline="Council members blast delays in boil water advisory alerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.atlantaga.gov/government/mayor-s-office/executive-offices/office-of-communications/boil-water-advisory" target="_blank">boil water advisory issued</a> over the Memorial Day weekend.Why it matters: Amid the past week&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rush-hour flood" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/05/21/atlanta-storms-flood-i-75-85" data-vars-content-id="d0f89e57-902b-49a4-a78a-c2f2cb154375" data-vars-headline="Council members blast delays in boil water advisory alerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/05/21/atlanta-storms-flood-i-75-85" target="_self">rush-hour flood</a> on the Downtown Connector and a mammoth <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fish kill" data-vars-click-url="https://chattahoochee.org/press-releases/drought-polluted-runoff-and-sewage-overflows-contribute-to-chattahoochee-river-fish-kill/" data-vars-content-id="d0f89e57-902b-49a4-a78a-c2f2cb154375" data-vars-headline="Council members blast delays in boil water advisory alerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chattahoochee.org/press-releases/drought-polluted-runoff-and-sewage-overflows-contribute-to-chattahoochee-river-fish-kill/" target="_blank">fish kill</a> on the Chattahoochee River, City Hall officials issued a boil water advisory that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="didn&#x27;t land" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/boil-water-advisory-issued-atlanta/G4MWX2ECFBDL5GT4JRNV4WHLVQ/" data-vars-content-id="d0f89e57-902b-49a4-a78a-c2f2cb154375" data-vars-headline="Council members blast delays in boil water advisory alerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/boil-water-advisory-issued-atlanta/G4MWX2ECFBDL5GT4JRNV4WHLVQ/" target="_blank">didn&#x27;t land</a> on the radar of many residents.

News

An "unprecedented" fish kill along the Chattahoochee River has sparked investigations and raised concerns about the precious waterway's health.

Catch up quick: City and state angencies are investigating why a massive number of fish washed up dead along a 20-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee downstream of Peachtree Creek.

The latest: Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Jason Ulseth told Fox 5 that warm and polluted stormwater runoff from recent heavy rains likely caused oxygen levels in the river to drop, suffocating the fish.

Atlanta Department of Watershed Management commissioner Greg Eyerly told the Atlanta City Council Utilities Committee on Tuesday that his team was preparing an official report for state regulators.

State of play: Ulseth told 11 Alive that recent rains have helped restore the river's health.

While the fish kill appears to have been concentrated south of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, the following tips will help keep you and your loved ones healthy:

🐶 Pets: Watch where your pets are playing and what they're drinking. Keep them away from any dead fish.

Ulseth and Eyerly reported seeing a "black sludge" along the banks in some areas. Steer clear of that sludge.

🧫 Bacteria levels: Check bacteria levels along the river.

A good rule of thumb: Avoid contact with cloudy water.

🏊 Avoid swimming until authorities give the all-clear, especially if you have any open cuts or injuries.

The Riverkeeper has a Chattahoochee swimming guide with good tips.

The bottom line: The Chattahoochee's history is an inspiring story of how people can save a precious and resilient river.

The past week's fish kill was a reminder that the work, and the story, are not yet finished.

What to know about the Chattahoochee River fish kill

Experts urge caution around cloudy water and sludge as authorities investigate the die-off.

Cluttered river with fallen tree limbs and heavy litter: plastic bags, wrappers, and bottles tangled in branches over dark water, with a dead fish among the debris.

The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said the dead fish stretched for 20 miles along the river south of Atlanta. Photo: Courtesy of the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

An &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unprecedented" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2026/05/26/atlanta-rains-cause-unprecedented-fish-deaths-in-chattahoochee-river/90257898007/#" data-vars-content-id="e54cd55c-d776-47c3-8406-70e51916f887" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Chattahoochee River fish kill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2026/05/26/atlanta-rains-cause-unprecedented-fish-deaths-in-chattahoochee-river/90257898007/#" target="_blank">unprecedented</a>&quot; fish kill along the Chattahoochee River has sparked investigations and raised concerns about the precious waterway&#x27;s health.Catch up quick: City and state angencies are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="investigating" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/05/riverkeeper-warns-of-massive-fish-kill-on-the-chattahoochee-near-atlanta/" data-vars-content-id="e54cd55c-d776-47c3-8406-70e51916f887" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Chattahoochee River fish kill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/05/riverkeeper-warns-of-massive-fish-kill-on-the-chattahoochee-near-atlanta/" target="_blank">investigating</a> why a massive number of fish washed up dead along a 20-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee downstream of Peachtree Creek.The latest: Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Jason Ulseth <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/what-is-fish-kill-why-thousands-fish-suffocated-chattahoochee-river#" data-vars-content-id="e54cd55c-d776-47c3-8406-70e51916f887" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Chattahoochee River fish kill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/what-is-fish-kill-why-thousands-fish-suffocated-chattahoochee-river#" target="_blank">told</a> Fox 5 that warm and polluted stormwater runoff from recent heavy rains likely caused oxygen levels in the river to drop, suffocating the fish.<ul><li>Atlanta Department of Watershed Management commissioner Greg Eyerly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/05/27/atlanta-boil-water-advisory-notifyatl-emergency-alerts-council-hearing" data-vars-content-id="e54cd55c-d776-47c3-8406-70e51916f887" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Chattahoochee River fish kill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/05/27/atlanta-boil-water-advisory-notifyatl-emergency-alerts-council-hearing" target="_self">told</a> the Atlanta City Council Utilities Committee on Tuesday that his team was preparing an official report for state regulators.</li></ul>State of play: Ulseth <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told" data-vars-click-url="https://www.11alive.com/article/tech/science/environment/sludge-cited-as-source-of-chattahoochee-fish-kill/85-b81f5d47-35a5-4516-85ab-40ea489f4546#" data-vars-content-id="e54cd55c-d776-47c3-8406-70e51916f887" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Chattahoochee River fish kill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.11alive.com/article/tech/science/environment/sludge-cited-as-source-of-chattahoochee-fish-kill/85-b81f5d47-35a5-4516-85ab-40ea489f4546#" target="_blank">told</a> 11 Alive that recent rains have helped restore the river&#x27;s health.While the fish kill appears to have been concentrated south of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, the following tips will help keep you and your loved ones healthy:🐶 Pets: Watch where your pets are playing and what they&#x27;re drinking. Keep them away from any dead fish.<ul><li>Ulseth and Eyerly reported seeing a &quot;black sludge&quot; along the banks in some areas. Steer clear of that sludge.</li></ul>🧫 Bacteria levels: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Check bacteria levels" data-vars-click-url="https://ga.water.usgs.gov/bacteria/" data-vars-content-id="e54cd55c-d776-47c3-8406-70e51916f887" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Chattahoochee River fish kill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ga.water.usgs.gov/bacteria/" target="_blank">Check bacteria levels</a> along the river.<ul><li>A good rule of thumb: Avoid contact with cloudy water.</li></ul>🏊 Avoid swimming until authorities give the all-clear, especially if you have any open cuts or injuries.<ul><li>The Riverkeeper has a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chattahoochee swimming guide" data-vars-click-url="https://chattahoochee.org/swim-guide/" data-vars-content-id="e54cd55c-d776-47c3-8406-70e51916f887" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Chattahoochee River fish kill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chattahoochee.org/swim-guide/" target="_blank">Chattahoochee swimming guide</a> with good tips.</li></ul>The bottom line: The Chattahoochee&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="history" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/07/14/sally-bethea-chattahoochee-riverkeeper-book" data-vars-content-id="e54cd55c-d776-47c3-8406-70e51916f887" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Chattahoochee River fish kill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/07/14/sally-bethea-chattahoochee-riverkeeper-book" target="_self">history</a> is an inspiring story of how people can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="save a precious and resilient river" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/12/30/president-jimmy-carter-chattahoochee-river-national-park" data-vars-content-id="e54cd55c-d776-47c3-8406-70e51916f887" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Chattahoochee River fish kill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/12/30/president-jimmy-carter-chattahoochee-river-national-park" target="_self">save a precious and resilient river</a>.<ul><li>The past week&#x27;s fish kill was a reminder that the work, and the story, are not yet finished.</li></ul>

Thomas Wheatley

Featured stories

Georgia drought report: Blame it on the rain

What to know about the Chattahoochee River fish kill

Atlanta weekend planner: Symphony, Fringe Fest, baseball

Council members blast delays in boil water advisory alerts

Falling Water Park could be Atlanta's next fishing hole