Exceptional drought expands across central North Carolina impacting 10 Counties
LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Drought conditions continue to worsen across North Carolina, with portions of 10 counties in and around the Triangle now classified under the most severe drought category, according to state officials.
The latest drought classifications released Thursday by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC) show exceptional drought conditions have expanded across central North Carolina, while much of the remainder of the state remains under extreme or severe drought.
Current classifications indicate 10 counties are experiencing exceptional drought, 42 counties are in extreme drought, 46 counties are in severe drought, and two counties are classified under moderate drought conditions.
State drought experts say rainfall received during Memorial Day weekend provided only temporary relief.
“The good rains the state received over Memorial Day weekend were helpful, but had a short-term impact,” said Klaus Albertin, chair of the DMAC and water resources engineer with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources. “Most areas are still showing one of their top five driest beginnings to the year.”
According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, the area now experiencing exceptional drought has received only 25% to 50% of its normal rainfall during the past six months. In Raleigh, rainfall totals are more than 20 inches below historical averages for the same period, according to the NC State Climate Office.
Low rainfall continues to impact waterways across the state. Streamflow levels remain below normal or have fallen to record lows in parts of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, raising concerns about water availability as summer begins.
Officials are urging water systems in counties classified under exceptional and extreme drought conditions to implement water shortage response plans and continue water conservation efforts. Those systems are also required to report weekly water use and conservation measures to the Division of Water Resources.
Residents are encouraged to check with their local water providers for any restrictions or conservation measures currently in place.
The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council, a collaboration of drought experts from North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina agencies, meets weekly to assess conditions and provide recommendations for updates to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
With much of the state continuing to experience some of its driest conditions in years, officials say ongoing conservation efforts and significant rainfall will be needed to improve drought conditions in the coming months.
