MARION, N.C. (WLOS) \u2014 Drought conditions in western North Carolina have intensified significantly, with most of the region now classified under “extreme drought.” A statewide burn ban also remains in effect amid spring wildfire season.<\/p>\n
This marks one of the state’s most severe dry spells in the past several decades. <\/p>\n
Here’s the latest updates.<\/p>\n
DROUGHT CONDITIONS WORSEN ACROSS WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA, UPSTATE THIS WEEK<\/a><\/p>\n Extreme drought in western region<\/p>\n Forty-seven counties are now experiencing extreme drought, and most of the rest of North Carolina is in severe drought, according to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ).<\/p>\n An April 21 map<\/a> by the state’s Drought Management Advisory Council confirms that much of the state’s extreme drought is in western North Carolina. <\/p>\n Counties facing extreme drought conditions are being asked to follow their Water Shortage Response Plan and report weekly water use and conservation status to the NCDEQ.<\/p>\n Natural disaster areas designation<\/p>\n Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated 82 counties in North Carolina as natural disaster areas due to drought conditions. This designation makes assistance available to producers and communities impacted by severe drought conditions, per a release from Rep. Chuck Edwards.<\/p>\n The primary counties included in the disaster declaration are Transylvania, Buncombe and Henderson. The contiguous counties are Avery, Haywood, Jackson, McDowell, Madison, Franklin, Polk and Yancey.<\/p>\n Farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers in these areas may now be eligible for federal disaster assistance programs designed to help recover from losses and stabilize operations. Click this link<\/a> for additional information on USDA disaster assistance programs.<\/p>\n Marion water shortage advisory<\/p>\n The city of Marion has issued a Stage 1 Water Shortage Advisory and is asking customers to cut back on non-essential water use, effective immediately.<\/p>\n This comes after McDowell County was classified within the ‘Extreme Drought’ category. The city is asking all water customers to voluntarily reduce non-essential water use by at least 5%. <\/p>\n