Drought over in central N.C.

Raleigh, N.C. — After more than a year, a large swath of central North Carolina is completely out of the drought, according to a state report issued Thursday.

The weekly report from the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council shows that 32 counties, stretching from Caswell County on the Virginia state line to Brunswick County on the southern coast, are no longer in any stage of drought. Another dozen counties – they are located in two strips on either side of the drought-free swath – are listed as being abnormally dry, according to the report.

The worst drought conditions remain in the western North Carolina mountains, although a small patch of the northeastern corner of the state is experiencing severe drought conditions.

The 32 counties out of the drought are the largest number of drought-free counties in the state since early May 2007.