All of N.C. is facing dry conditions, drought for first time in 15 years
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Screenshot: North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council
For the first time in 15 years, the entire state of North Carolina is either "abnormally dry" or in a drought.
Threat level: Drought conditions continue to worsen across North Carolina this week, with nearly 90% of the state now facing moderate, severe or extreme drought, the latest data released Thursday shows.
Why it matters: More rain is on the way, but in some places, it will be too late. The state is already seeing widespread crop losses, with 40% of corn crops in "very poor" condition as of earlier this week.
- "Unfortunately, damage to many crops may already be done," state Drought Management Advisory Council chair Klaus Albertin said in a statement.
The big picture: This is just the second time in 24 years the state has seen such a rapid deterioration of drought conditions, the Department of Environmental Quality said.
- In late June, more than 50% of the state was increased to a more severe status in just one week.
Zoom in: Columbus County along the South Carolina border is facing the most severe drought classification, "extreme drought."
- One farmer told WECT that, in all his years of farming, he had not seen conditions like this.
- "The corn crop to date is pretty much history," the farmer told the station. "It will take years to recover from the financial impact that this drought is causing."
- Whiteville, which is in Columbus, has seen just 1.07 inches of rain in the past month, making it the driest 30-day period in 24 years.
Flashback: Congressman Don Davis, seeking federal assistance for his eastern North Carolina district, sent a letter earlier this week asking the USDA to designate his district as a disaster area due to the drought.
- Last week Davis made a public call for an emergency declaration, but the situation has worsened since then, he said.
- Davis' district produces and sells more than $2.989 billion of agricultural products annually, he said, though the "economic impact of this drought is not limited to the farming sector."
- "It also affects local businesses that rely on the agricultural industry, creating a ripple effect felt throughout many rural communities," he said.
What's next: Rain is on the way, with 1.5 to 4 inches expected across the eastern part of the state through the end of this week.
Yes, but: Rain in the last week slowed the rapid drying, Albertin said, but wasn't enough to improve the conditions in some places.
The bottom line: We need rain, and a lot of it, especially in places where crops can still be salvaged.