On Thursday, the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) upgraded about 9 percent of California to an "exceptional drought," the organization's most intense level of drought severity. This is the first time that any part of the state has registered an exceptional drought in the 14-year history of the NDMC drought monitor. Today's minor rainfall ended Sacramento's longest running rain-less rainy season streak in its recorded history. 

With no significant rain predicted in the coming weeks, state officials are warning that within 60 to 120 days, many rural communities will dry further up. 

Read more at The Los Angeles Times.

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