Drought improves in parts of NC, but western Brunswick County remains in exceptional drought

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Recent rainfall has brought some relief to parts of North Carolina, but much of the state remains in drought, with some areas still experiencing extreme or exceptional conditions.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, released Thursday and covering conditions from Aug. 11-18, shows improvement in parts of the state following scattered rainfall over the past week.

However, rainfall has been inconsistent. While some areas of the Piedmont and coast received 2 inches or more, most locations received below-average rainfall.

Western Brunswick County remains in exceptional drought, the most severe drought category.

Parts of Guilford, Rockingham, Caswell, Person and Granville counties remain in extreme drought. Portions of Warren and Halifax counties also worsened to extreme drought.

Meanwhile, western North Carolina saw more widespread rainfall and continued improvement. Parts of Macon, Jackson and Transylvania counties improved from extreme drought to severe drought.

“After much higher-than-normal rains in July, North Carolina has settled back into a more typical summer pattern with isolated thunderstorms bringing patchy rain,” said Klaus Albertin, chair of the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council and a water resources engineer with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources.

“While many areas are still in some level of drought, these isolated showers should result in gradual improvements across the state,” Albertin said.

Water levels remain a concern

Despite recent rainfall, water supplies remain below normal in many drought-affected areas.

Temperatures over the past two weeks were 3 to 5 degrees above 30-year averages in some parts of North Carolina, contributing to declining stream and reservoir levels.

Streamflows in portions of the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico river basins have returned to the well-below-normal category. Some locations, including Flat River at Bahama and Little Fishing Creek near White Oak, are at record lows.

Falls Lake, which serves parts of Durham, Wake and Granville counties, has also begun declining again after rising during heavy rainfall in July.

Kerr Lake is currently about 7 feet below normal, and officials with the John H. Kerr Dam & Reservoir are considering reducing power generation because of the low lake level.

Some reservoirs in western North Carolina have improved, including Tanasee Creek, Wolf Creek and Bear Creek lakes. Lake Norman and Lake Wylie remain below target elevations.

Residents urged to conserve water

Officials are encouraging residents to continue conserving water, particularly in areas experiencing extreme or exceptional drought.

Water systems in those areas are advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plans and implement water-use reduction measures. Residents should check with their local water provider for specific restrictions, which could include limits on lawn watering and car washing.

Officials recommend residents:

• Limit outdoor watering to before 10 a.m. to reduce evaporation.
• Fix leaking faucets and toilets.
• Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks and driveways.
• Consider delaying car washing until drought conditions improve.
• Use commercial car washes that recycle and treat their water when possible.
• Check local water restrictions and conservation requirements.

People with private wells should also watch for signs that groundwater levels are low, including a pump cycling when no water is being used or muddy-looking tap water.

Officials say isolated thunderstorms could gradually improve drought conditions, but continued conservation remains important while groundwater, streams and reservoirs recover.

Residents can find more information about drought classifications and current conditions on the official drought monitor website.