Drought Persists Despite Tropical Rains from Hanna

Eastern North Carolina was blessed with much needed rain from Tropical Storm Hanna. However, the most recent drought monitor revlealed that the statewide drought persists, although lessened somewhat in severity. Groundwater levels are still critically low.

The latest drought monitor map (see below) released by NC Drought Management Advisory Council demonstrates the severity of the state's ongoing rainfall shortage. Even with inches of rain from Tropical Storm Hanna, a moderate drought continues for most of the Tar-Pamlico river basin and extreme drought persists in the mountains.

 

Groundwater levels take longer than surface waters to rebound. Therefore, the Tar River maybe much higher than its been all summer long, but a drought indicator well located in Simpson, Pitt County reveals that the water table continues to be below normal by several feet. Groundwater helps to feed water into the Tar River.

To read more about the 2008 drought and what solutions North Carolina leaders are proposing, click here.