Last Updated on February 12, 2026 7:04 pm
In the latest drought update for North Carolina, severe drought conditions continue to grip much of the state, with Extreme Drought emerging in three counties and Severe Drought affecting 72 counties.
In the High Country, Watauga and Avery are in Severe drought status, while Ashe and Wilkes counties are in Moderate drought status.
The weekly update, put out by the North Carolina Drought Management Council, shows a significant and widespread drought situation across North Carolina.
Drought categories are based on streamflow, groundwater levels, the amount of water stored in reservoirs, soil moisture, the time of year, and other relevant factors for assessing the extent and severity of dry conditions.
D3 – Extreme Drought
Total: 3 counties Includes: Cabarrus, Stanly, Union
D2 – Severe Drought
Total: 72 counties Includes:
- Alamance
- Alexander
- Anson
- Ashe
- Avery
- Beaufort
- Bertie
- Bladen
- Buncombe
- Caldwell
- Caswell
- Catawba
- Chatham
- Cherokee
- Clay
- Cleveland
- Craven
- Cumberland
- Davidson
- Davie
- Duplin
- Durham
- Edgecombe
- Forsyth
- Franklin
- Gaston
- Graham
- Granville
- Greene
- Guilford
- Halifax
- Harnett
- Haywood
- Hertford
- Hoke
- Iredell
- Jackson
- Johnston
- Lee
- Lenoir
- Lincoln
- Macon
- Madison
- Martin
- Mecklenburg
- Mitchell
- Montgomery
- Moore
- Nash
- Northampton
- Orange
- Person
- Pitt
- Polk
- Randolph
- Richmond
- Rockingham
- Rowan
- Rutherford
- Sampson
- Scotland
- Stokes
- Swain
- Vance
- Wake
- Warren
- Watauga
- Wayne
- Wilkes
- Wilson
- Yadkin
- Yancey
D1 – Moderate Drought
Total: 24 counties Includes:
- Alleghany
- Brunswick
- Burke
- Camden
- Chowan
- Columbus
- Currituck
- Dare
- Gates
- Henderson
- Hyde
- Jones
- McDowell
- New Hanover
- Onslow
- Pamlico
- Pasquotank
- Pender
- Perquimans
- Robeson
- Surry
- Transylvania
- Tyrrell
- Washington
D0 – Abnormally Dry
Total: 1 county Includes: Carteret
Residents are strongly encouraged to continue water conservation efforts and stay informed about local drought conditions.
