Report: North Carolina drought conditions ease slightly

RALEIGH (AP) — Every county in North Carolina remains under a severe drought or worse despite a slight improvement in conditions.

The U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday found that 46 percent of the state is under exceptional drought conditions — the most severe category. That was an improvement from the 49 reported a week ago.

The worst drought conditions stretch across the middle of the state — from Rocky Mount to Asheville to Charlotte.

The report said the rest of the state is under extreme or severe drought.

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