Drought conditions, caused by a 10-inch rainfall deficit since August, are expanding in North Carolina, according to N.C. Drought Monitor.
Here’s the breakdown: 72 counties (including Orange, Durham, Chatham, Wake) are in severe drought; 24 moderate drought, 3 on the S.C. border (Cabarrus, Stanley, Union) extreme drought; 1 abnormally dry (Carteret).
Water levels at area Corps of Engineers Lakes are down. The level at Jordan was reported at 213.9 Feb. 13, down about 2 feet below normal pool of 216; Falls Lake, 248.28, down nearly 4 feet; Kerr Lake, 294.38, down 5.62 feet.