More of North Carolina now under extreme drought

RALEIGH (AP) — The drought covering North Carolina has worsened over the past week.

In the Triangle, conditions went from being "severe" to "extreme." That's according to the weekly report from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Sixty-three of 100 counties are now in extreme drought. They spread from western North Carolina across the Piedmont over to the coastal plain.

The state's western tip is suffering the worst conditions. Ten of the state's westernmost counties are under "exceptional" drought, which is the worst category.

Municipalities across the state have imposed mandatory or voluntary water conservation orders.

Water levels at lakes and reservoirs continue to be below normal.

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