Some farmers severely crippled by drought effects could soon see some relief. The United States Department of Agriculture listed Cumberland and Roane counties as “primary natural disaster areas” due to losses caused by the drought. Anderson, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Fentress, Morgan and Rhea counties also qualify for natural disaster assistance, because those counties are contiguous. Most of those counties have been upgraded in their drought designation in order to help farmers qualify for federal water aid.