By MARY LANDERS SAVANNAH - The drought gripping North and Middle Georgia is likely to spread to the coast soon, increasing impacts on the Savannah River, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service said Thursday night.

WAYCROSS, Ga. (AP) -- Tropical Storm Barry and its remnants gave a much-needed soaking to thousands of acres of burning swamp and timberland in northern Florida and southeastern Georgia.

Now a tropical depression, Barry brings 7 inches of rain to drought regions. HOMOSOSSA SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) -- Tropical Storm Barry weakened into a tropical depression as it moved through Tampa Bay on Saturday, bringing nearly 7 inches of rain to parts of the drought- parched region.

By Robert Boyer, Times-News, Burlington, N.C. Jun. 5--Alamance County is still in a drought despite receiving about an inch of rain over the weekend. If forecasts prove right, things might get much drier through the summer.

By Neil Johnson and Mike Salinero, Tampa Tribune, Fla. Jun. 5--TAMPA -- Florida is issuing a collective thanks to Barry for dousing wildfires, giving Tampa's water customers a break and soaking thirsty lawns.