The N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council announced on May 21 that drought conditions have worsened in five counties in western North Carolina, while extreme and severe drought persist across much of the state.
The announcement is significant as it highlights the increasing impact of drought on local communities, water systems, and natural resources. Water conservation measures are being urged for affected areas.
According to the latest advisory from the council, Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Watauga, and Wilkes counties are now classified under exceptional drought. Sixty-six other counties remain in extreme drought conditions, with another twenty-eight in severe drought and one county experiencing moderate drought. “The drought is solidly entrenched and impacts are slowly increasing,” said Klaus Albertin, chair of the Drought Management Advisory Council. “Stream levels were already at record lows in most areas. Reservoirs are slowly declining and utility conservation levels are ramping up.”
Water systems serving counties under exceptional or extreme drought classifications have been advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plan and implement water use reduction measures. These systems must also report weekly water use and conservation status online through the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resource’s Local Water Supply Plan website.
Recent rainfall totals since last August show Boone has received over 21 inches less than average; Wilmington and Raleigh have seen more than 18 inches below historical averages for the same period. Rainfall data collected by gauges across North Carolina indicate record-low precipitation over the past six months based on Southeast Regional Climate Center records. Groundwater monitoring wells show near-record low levels statewide.
“Looking at the forecasts, we are expecting to get, at best, an inch or an inch and a half in most places,” Albertin said. “If that actually happens, it will keep us at status quo. We typically get an inch of rain a week on average, so if we get an inch this week, we will break even — with no improvement or degradation in conditions.” The council collaborates with experts from multiple agencies within North Carolina as well as Virginia and South Carolina to monitor ongoing conditions each week.
