Last Updated on September 26, 2026 10:44 am
Extreme Drought (D3) expanded in North Carolina this week, rising from 8 to 10 counties as conditions worsened in the northern Piedmont and eastern parts of the state. Brunswick and Greene counties moved to D3, joining eight counties already at that level.
In the High Country, conditions are unchanged from last week. Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and Wilkes counties remain in Moderate Drought (D1). Avery and Caldwell counties remain Abnormally Dry (D0).
Statewide, 88 of North Carolina’s 100 counties are experiencing some level of drought, with 12 counties now drought-free. Severe Drought (D2) also expanded, climbing from 23 to 25 counties. Moderate Drought (D1) dropped from 40 to 36 counties as some moved into higher classifications.
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
- Brunswick
- Caswell
- Greene
- Guilford
- Halifax
- Lenoir
- Person
- Rockingham
- Stokes
- Warren
Total: 10
D2 – Severe Drought
- Alamance
- Bladen
- Chatham
- Columbus
- Duplin
- Durham
- Forsyth
- Franklin
- Granville
- Harnett
- Jackson
- Lee
- Macon
- Nash
- Northampton
- Orange
- Pitt
- Robeson
- Surry
- Transylvania
- Vance
- Wake
- Wayne
- Wilson
- Yadkin
Total: 25
D1 – Moderate Drought
- Alexander
- Alleghany
- Anson
- Ashe
- Bertie
- Cabarrus
- Carteret
- Catawba
- Cherokee
- Clay
- Craven
- Davidson
- Davie
- Edgecombe
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Hertford
- Hoke
- Iredell
- Johnston
- Jones
- Lincoln
- Martin
- Montgomery
- Moore
- Onslow
- Pender
- Randolph
- Richmond
- Sampson
- Scotland
- Stanly
- Swain
- Union
- Watauga
- Wilkes
Total: 36
D0 – Abnormally Dry
- Avery
- Beaufort
- Buncombe
- Caldwell
- Cleveland
- Cumberland
- Gaston
- Gates
- Graham
- Madison
- Mecklenburg
- Mitchell
- New Hanover
- Pamlico
- Polk
- Rowan
- Yancey
Total: 17
Residents are strongly encouraged to continue water conservation efforts and stay informed about local drought conditions.
