Despite some heavy rain last week, 10 Eastern North Carolina counties remain in severe drought. That's a decrease from 12 counties in severe drought last week. According to the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina, parts of Duplin, Greene, Lenior, Onslow, Pitt, and Wayne counties are among the areas currently in severe drought. Fourteen counties are in moderate drought and 17 are abnormally dry. The dry conditions are exacerbated by hot temperatures which have increased evaporation, leading to stress on lawns and crops. The driest areas of the state are in the southern Coastal Plain, which is experiencing a precipitation deficit of about 4.6 inches.
Drought conditions across ENC ease slightly since last week
