North Carolina Drought Conditions Now ‘Moderate’, Including Cumberland County
Last week the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council declared that much of North Carolina, including Cumberland County, are now facing “moderate drought conditions.” The key factors behind the drought include the ongoing heatwave and recent lack of substantial rainfall in the Tar Heel State. That’s even with the drenching we got on Monday.
Drought Conditions Throughout North Carolina
According to the US Drought Monitor of North Carolina, 57 of NC’s 100 counties are currently experiencing moderate drought conditions (category D1). This includes Cumberland County along with the neighboring Harnett, Sampson and Robeson counties as well.
Additionally, most of the remaining counties in North Carolina are experiencing “abnormally dry” conditions, which is the lowest ranked category on the drought monitor (category D0).
The Impact Of Moderate Drought Conditions
For the counties experiencing abnormally dry conditions, residents can expect little more than dry pastures and brown lawns. But for the majority of North Carolinians facing D1 drought conditions, the situation is slightly more elevated.
The effects of even just moderate drought conditions can take a heavy toll on the landscape. For instance, the dryness can present an issue with crop yields. The North Carolina Drought Update includes a report from the USDA which states that 55% of corn grown in NC is “in poor or very poor condition,” and yield losses are “likely unavoidable.”
The update also lists observable impacts of the flash drought throughout North Carolina, including dried up streams and ponds along with wilted crops, lawns and gardens. A moderate drought also brings about a higher risk of wildfires than normal throughout the season.
How To Adjust To New Drought Conditions
While a moderate drought certainly isn’t ideal, especially in this brutal summer heat, it’s entirely manageable so long as residents adhere to local water use guidelines and restrictions. Many counties in eastern NC have already implemented water usage restrictions this past week, and more counties are expected to follow suit.
Residents are encouraged to monitor and limit nonessential water use until drought conditions improve. It would also behoove residents to inspect their water system lines to make sure they’re operating efficiently so no water is wasted.
You can find more info and tips to help you combat the drought conditions at www.ncdrought.org.
