ATLANTA (AP) — Almost all of Georgia has escaped from the epic drought.

State Climatologist David Stooksbury said Friday that only the basins around Lake Lanier and Lake Hartwell are still stuck in drought after several days of heavy rain dumped inches of rain on Georgia.

Stream flows and soil moisture levels across much of Georgia are well above normal.

About the only sore spots remaining are the basins of the two lakes, both major water sources for north Georgia. Both basins remain mired in moderate drought conditions — a far cry from the exceptional drought conditions that gripped parts of the state in late 2007.

Those conditions forced Georgia officials to call for sweeping water restrictions.

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