The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC) recently classified eight counties in eastern North Carolina as experiencing severe drought conditions, known as D2. This assessment was part of the latest advisory released on Thursday. The affected counties include Beaufort, Columbus, Craven, Martin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, and Washington.
In response to the severe drought conditions, the DMAC has advised water users in these areas to implement Water Shortage Response Plans. They are encouraged to participate in regional and local coordination for managing water resources, reassess water delivery systems to minimize loss and improve efficiency, and eliminate nonessential water use.
Additionally, 50 counties across the Piedmont and western North Carolina regions have been classified under moderate drought conditions, labeled as D1. Meanwhile, 32 counties have been identified as abnormally dry.
Klaus Albertin, chair of the DMAC, noted the changing conditions, stating: “The effects of a very dry winter and early spring are starting to be seen. Some areas are seeing a rainfall deficit of 6 to 10 inches since October. Impacts from ongoing drought conditions were limited in winter months, but will become more noticeable as we enter the growing season.”
The DMAC is a collaborative effort among drought experts from North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina, organized by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR). They meet weekly to submit recommendations to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Drought Mitigation Center. Their assessments contribute to updates on the U.S. Drought Monitor, which charts drought conditions nationwide. Updates for North Carolina’s drought map are published weekly on Thursdays, reflecting conditions up to the previous Tuesday.
The public can view the drought map and seek more information online.
For further details, visit: https://www.ncdrought.org/education.
