Last Updated on January 29, 2026 10:00 am
In the latest drought update for North Carolina, most of the High Country is experiencing Severe drought conditions.
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 68 counties in the Severe Drought category, 31 counties in Moderate Drought, and 1 county in Abnormally Dry status.
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.
D2 – Severe Drought Counties
Total: 68 counties Includes: Alamance, Anson, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Buncombe, Cabarrus, 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, Johnston, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Richmond, Rockingham, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Swain, Union, Vance, Wake, Warren, Watauga, Wayne, Wilson, Yadkin, Yancey
D1 – Moderate Drought Counties
Total: 31 counties Includes: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Brunswick, Burke, Caldwell, Camden, Chowan, Columbus, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Henderson, Hyde, Jackson, Jones, McDowell, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Polk, Robeson, Rutherford, Surry, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Washington, Wilkes
D0 – Abnormally Dry Counties
Total: 1 county Includes: Carteret
Residents are encouraged to continue water conservation efforts and stay informed about local drought conditions.
Residents are encouraged to continue water conservation efforts and stay informed about local drought conditions.
