ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — For the first time in many months, most of the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont are officially “drought‑free,” according to a new update from the U.S. Drought Monitor. The declaration marks a major turning point for farmers who have endured one of the longest and most stubborn droughts in recent memory, stretching back to early fall of 2025.

The latest report shows that all of Rockingham, Albemarle, Augusta, Nelson, Page, and Shenandoah counties are now free of drought conditions due to several weeks of steady rainfall. Hydrologists with the US Geological Survey say the water table has also begun to rebound, helped by repeated storm systems that have soaked the region since late summer. Local rivers and streams, including the Shenandoah River, Middle River, and the Rivanna River, are flowing at healthier levels than seen earlier this year.

Weather conditions can, of course, shift quickly, but the new designation offers welcome relief for farmers heading into late‑season fieldwork and winter planning.

Image credit: U.S. Geological Survey
Image credit: U.S. Geological Survey