Much-needed rain brings flooding risk to drought-driven Cape Fear

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) –A flood watch is in effect, and we are expecting heavy rain through the evening. While it may be bringing much-needed relief, the state’s drought isn’t out of the woods yet.

The rain is welcome, but it could also create a new concern.

A Flood Watch remains in effect as forecasters expect widespread rainfall through the weekend, with some areas in the Cape Fear region potentially receiving up to 6 inches of rain.

The rainfall comes after a prolonged drought that has intensified since last fall, leaving Wilmington about 10 to 11 inches below its normal rainfall.

“It’s going to take more than this week and this weekend’s rain to get us out,” said Klaus Albertin, chair of North Carolina’s Drought Management Advisory Council.

Despite the expected rainfall, drought conditions remain severe across much of the region. Brunswick County continues to be classified in exceptional drought — the highest category on the U.S. Drought Monitor — after months of below-average precipitation.

Albertin said while the rain will improve conditions, it will not immediately reverse the damage caused by the prolonged dry spell.

“Some areas, the crops just aren’t going to be in good shape,” Albertin said.

Ironically, the same dry conditions that created the drought are also increasing the risk of localized flooding.

After months without significant rainfall, the hardened ground has difficulty absorbing large amounts of water in a short period, causing runoff to collect in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

“Any place that gets three inches of rain in a two-hour period is going to see a lot of runoff, if there’s low areas, you’re going to see flooding,” said Albertin.

While greener lawns and healthier gardens may appear after the rain, Albertin urges residents not to assume water supplies have fully recovered.

“Just because your lawn and garden look great doesn’t mean the water supply itself is back to where it needs to be,” he said. “Keep looking at the conservation measures and do your part,” said Albertin.

State officials also noted that despite drought conditions affecting all 100 North Carolina counties, wildfire danger remains relatively low. Fire danger is currently rated low to moderate statewide, and there are no state-issued burn bans in effect.