Drought persists; half of N.C. still under ‘exceptional’ conditions

RALEIGH (AP) — About half of North Carolina remains under exceptional drought conditions.

A report issued Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor says the entire state is under exceptional, extreme or severe drought. More than 49 percent of the state is under exceptional conditions – the most severe category. Those conditions extend across the middle of the state, from Rocky Mount to Asheville to Charlotte.

Officials said conditions across the state worsened slightly during the week ending Tuesday.

State officials are urging North Carolina residents to conserve water because of waning supplies and the prospect that conditions could get worse. The National Weather Service expects the next
three months to be dryer than normal.

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