The decision came after an hourlong meeting where climatologists presented data that detailed how soaring temperatures and light rainfall have sunk parts of Georgia into the driest conditions in decades.

The director of the state's Environmental Protection Division, Carol Couch, said "The times we're facing, the nature of our circumstances, are unprecedented.''

The decision by Couch declares a "level four'' drought from Muscogee County through metro Atlanta to east Georgia's Lincoln County. It skirts the cities of Macon and Augusta, which along with the remainder of the state will continue to follow current restrictions that limit homeowners to watering their lawns three days a week.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)