RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) — Even amid recent rain that has brought flash flooding to parts of North Carolina, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality says most of the state is still facing drought conditions and encourages water conservation.
The recent rain is expected to yield short-term improvements in drought conditions, but NCDEQ said the rain won’t provide full recovery from a months-long drought, which has caused rainfall deficits of more than 20 inches in some parts of the state.
“Even if areas get 4 inches of rain, some will still be a dozen inches behind. Some of that water will be captured by reservoirs, and some won’t. It’s going to take a while to really get out of this one,” North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council chair and water resources engineer with NCDEQ’s Division of Water Resources Klaus Albertin said in part in a press release.
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According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for N.C., every county is in some level of drought or dry conditions. Two counties are in exceptional drought, 32 counties are in extreme drought, 48 counties are in severe drought and seven counties are in moderate drought.
Drought or dry conditions continue despite rain between July 14 and 21, which has improved conditions in some parts of the state, NCDEQ said. The rain helped maintain water levels in some reservoirs, but according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, reservoirs across the state are below normal. Streamflow and groundwater levels are also below normal.
JULY 23, 2026 – Driving visibility during rainfall. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
“All of our reservoirs are still challenged,” Albertin said. “The last few weeks have really helped them stabilize, but we’re not seeing improvements yet. It’s a good thing, but we’re going to need more rain for them to start filling up.”
Albertin adds that lawns may appear greener, but summer continues, a time when people typically use more water.
WESTERN NC FLOOD WATCH STAYS UNTIL 8 P.M. THURSDAY; OVERNIGHT FLOOD RISK SOUTH OF I-40
NCDEQ advises the public to refer to their local water supply system for any information on any water restrictions in place, like restrictions on sprinklers, car washing or other measures. Water systems in exceptional or extreme drought are advised to follow their Water Shortage Response Plans and adhere to water use reduction measures. Click here for a water conservation status map for N.C.
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for all of western North Carolina until 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 23. The steady rainfall has caused crashes and downed trees on roadways in western North Carolina.
NCDEQ adds that the rainfall bringing flash flooding to parts of the state will be included in the next U.S. Drought Monitor, which is updated every Thursday based on conditions from the previous Tuesday.