Drought now statewide

CHARLOTTE (AP) — All of North Carolina is experiencing some level of drought for the first time this year.

Governor Mike Easley is urging residents to take shorter showers, watering plants with buckets instead of hoses, and irrigating lawns early or late in the day.

Moderate drought is present from Charlotte north to Greensboro and east to Raleigh.

Far western North Carolina is in an extreme drought while other portions of the mountains are in a severe drought.

The rest of the state is abnormally dry.