North Carolina Drought Advisory
North Carolina League of Municipalities reporting the drought in North Carolina
NC Drought
Advisory Map
The North Carolina Drought Advisory issued by the Drought Management Advisory Council has been updated to reflect drought conditions on October 16, 2007 indicated on the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina. Until further notice, the NCDMAC strongly urges the implementation of drought response actions, for all water users located in or dependent on water resources from the areas of the state experiencing the following drought conditions:
(D4) Exceptional drought conditions.
(D3) Extreme drought conditions.
(D2) Severe drought conditions.
The highest drought classification applies to the entire county, if any portion of the county is depicted on the US Drought Monitor of NC as meeting the higher drought conditions.
D4-Exceptional Drought:
The NCDMAC urgently advises all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map of North Carolina as suffering from Exceptional Drought (D4) conditions to enact the following precautions in addition to previous advisories until further notice:
All water users are advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP). An effective WSRP should adhere to the guidelines set forth by the water use rules during drought that became effective March 19, 2007. Water users without a written plan are advised to follow the applicable default water use reduction measures outlined in Section .0614 of the rules during exceptional drought designations.
Limit water usage to those uses that are essential to ensure public health and safety.
Prepare for the likelihood of community water systems requiring water rationing.
Participate in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.
Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).
D3-Extreme Drought:
The NCDMAC urgently advises all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map of North Carolina as suffering from Extreme Drought (D3) conditions to enact the following precautions in addition to previous advisories until further notice:
All water users are advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plan (WSRP). An effective WSRP should adhere to the guidelines set forth by the water use rules during drought that became effective March 19, 2007. Water users without a written plan are advised to follow the applicable default water use reduction measures outlined in Section .0614 of the rules during extreme drought designations.
Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).
Participate in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.
Reduce socially and economically important water uses to ensure the availability of water for critical needs (e.g. firefighting, health and safety, etc.).
Revisit and/or explore, if not already accomplished, alternative water sources and reuse options.
D2-Severe Drought:
The NCDMAC strongly advises all water users in the counties that are indicated on the US Drought Monitor Map as suffering from Severe Drought (D2) conditions to enact the following precautions in addition to previous advisories until further notice:
Implement Water Shortage Response Plans, if not already enacted.
Stay informed on drought conditions and advisories (www.ncdrought.org).
Participate, as appropriate, in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources.
Reexamine water delivery systems to minimize water loss and maximize water use efficiency.
Eliminate nonessential uses of water.
Evaluate the feasibility of incorporating water reuse, reclamation and/or recycling into daily operations.
Seek to reduce water usage by, at least, the same percentage as the percent differential between normal seasonal water supply availability and the actual water supply availability resulting from current drought conditions.
Increase public awareness and educational outreach programs emphasizing the need to conserve water.
Counties Under Current Advisory
D4 – Exceptional Drought:
Alamance County, Alexander County, Anson County, Ashe County, Avery County, Bladen County, Buncombe County, Burke County, Cabarrus County, Caldwell County, Caswell County, Catawba County, Chatham County, Cherokee County, Clay County, Cleveland County, Cumberland County Davidson County, Davie County, Duplin County, Durham County, Edgecombe County, Forsyth County, Franklin County, Gaston County, Graham County, Granville County, Greene County, Guilford County, Halifax County, Harnett County, Haywood County, Henderson County, Hoke County, Iredell County, Jackson County, Johnston County, Lee County, Lenoir County, Lincoln County, Macon County, Madison County, Martin County, McDowell County, Mecklenburg County, Mitchell County, Montgomery County, Moore County, Nash County, Orange County, Person County, Pitt County, Randolph County, Richmond County, Robeson County, Rockingham County, Rowan County, Rutherford County, Sampson County, Scotland County, Stanly County, Swain County, Transylvania County, Union County, Vance County, Wake County, Warren County, Watauga County, Wayne County, Wilson County, Yancey County
Total: 71
D3 – Extreme Drought:
Alleghany County, Beaufort County, Bertie County, Brunswick County, Columbus County, Craven County, Gates County, Hertford County, Jones County, New Hanover County, Northampton County, Onslow County, Pender County, Polk County, Stokes County, Surry County, Wilkes County, Yadkin County
Total: 18
D2 – Severe Drought:
Camden County, Carteret County, Chowan County, Currituck County, Dare County, Hyde County, Pamlico County, Pasquotank County, Herquimans County, Tyrrell County, Washington County
Total: 11
Link to NCLM website for more information
http://www.nclm.org/A1%20Center%20Page%20News/drought2007_meetings.htm
http://www.ncdrought.org/
http://www.nclm.org/
