CLEVELAND, Ohio — Drought conditions are worsening across Ohio as the state continues to experience a late-summer dry spell.

Nearly 97% of the state is experiencing at least “abnormally dry” conditions, according to the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday.

New in this week’s update is the addition of severe drought in portions of Columbiana, Carroll and Jefferson counties. Areas of moderate drought have expanded in several portions of the state, as well.

Abnormally dry conditions now cover all of Northeast Ohio, according to the latest update. The Sept. 2 map had shown dryness mainly in Lake, Ashtabula and Geauga counties to the northeast, along with parts of Summit, Portage and Stark counties to the south. Stark County remains hardest hit, with moderate drou

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