Drought returns to central N.C.

Raleigh, N.C. — Three drought-free months for North Carolina ended with a report Thursday that moderate drought conditions have returned to seven central counties.

Those include Durham, Orange, Chatham, Lee, Alamance, Guilford and Randolph counties.

North Carolina had been drought-free since May 12. That marked the end of a two-year drought that was the state's worst since record-keeping began. It prompted local governments to limit water use and legislators to require state and local officials to form drought-response plans.

"We're certainly not out of the woods,” said Dee Freeman, secretary of the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

He encouraged North Carolinians to conserve water.

“One of the best ways to reduce the effects of any drought or dry conditions is by making water conservation part of your daily routine," Freeman said.

The rest of the Triangle is among 67 counties experiencing abnormally dry conditions, which means adequate rainfall is required to keep drought conditions from returning.

Three northeastern counties saw an improvement this week, as abnormally dry conditions returned to normal. Abnormally dry conditions spread into the Charlotte area.

Twenty-six counties are experiencing normal conditions.

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Latest Comments

well it is summer time.....sounds like another reason to up water rates...there is no drought, things are as green as ever everywhere in the state that i have been to this summer

NCSULandscaper
August 21, 2009 6:25 p.m.

and the "drought" worsens today and tonight because my predication is not a drop for the triangle. So much for those Friday and Saturday storms! These folks couldn't predict weather if Merlin gave them the inside scoop!

time4real
August 21, 2009 4:12 p.m.

I hope the City folks too the opportunity to plan alternative sources of water during the next actual drought. When Falls Lake was low they should have dredged it (perhaps they did, I'm not sure). Improper planning for the population boom is what lead to the last shortage...it would be a shame to see it happen again.

christopheremcgee
August 21, 2009 4:11 p.m.

It's not a drought when it happens every year. It's call normal weather. As in, normally, it gets dry in the summer.

Common sense goes a long way.

dcatz
August 21, 2009 3:52 p.m.

Raleigh rainfall is at a 3.9" surplus for 365-day rainfall Falls Lake now sits at 249.31, 2.19" (of the allowable 15") below normal operation level.

dmccall
August 21, 2009 3:04 p.m.

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Drought returns to central N.C.

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