While some of our state is still recovering from extreme flooding from Hurricane Matthew, the other side of North Carolina is experiencing some extreme drought conditions.
This is the first time since 2011 that any part of North Carolina has been in an extreme drought. Cherokee, Clay, and Macon counties had below normal rainfall which has impacted agriculture in the areas.
“Due to the lack of precipitation, farmers in these counties have suffered from major crop and pasture loss in the last few months,” said Linwood Peele, chair of the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council. “So far, the lack of rain in Cherokee, Clay and Macon counties has not had an impact on the counties’ water supply systems.”
Overall in western NC, there are 28 counties experiencing some sort drought conditions.
State officials want to remind people in the affected areas to follow any water restrictions that have been sent from the local water systems. To see a full list of each system’s water conservation status, go to their website.
