By Patrick O'Driscoll and Larry Copeland, USA TODAYThe Southeast's worst drought in more than a century is forcing parched states and communities into crisis measures to conserve water and fight for access to more.
WOES: Southeast withers from 16 months of drought
A region accustomed to plentiful rain from tropical storms and hurricanes is experiencing its second straight year of less rain in the summer and fall.
"This idea of wait-and-see, because some (rain) might be around the corner, can really suppress timely responses," says Mike Hayes, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center.
Urgent efforts range from shutting down small-town car washes in North Carolina to a total ban on outdoor watering in Atlanta. Georgia's top water official, environmental Commissioner Carol Couch, says industrial and commercial water users very likely will have to make "across-the-board reductions" next.
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