East Texas — The U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday removed several Northeast Texas counties from drought status after the area received about 4 inches of rain between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Harrison, Marion, most of Rusk and the eastern portion of Gregg County were lowered from moderate drought status to abnormally dry.

Southern Rusk, Panola, Nacogdoches and San Augustine counties were lowered from abnormally dry to normal conditions.

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