Last Updated on February 12, 2026 7:04 pm
In the latest drought update for North Carolina, severe drought conditions continue to grip much of the state, with Extreme Drought emerging in three counties and Severe Drought affecting 72 counties.
In the High Country, Watauga and Avery are in Severe drought status, while Ashe and Wilkes counties are in Moderate drought status.
The weekly update, put out by the North Carolina Drought Management Council, shows a significant and widespread drought situation across North Carolina.
Drought categories are based on streamflow, groundwater levels, the amount of water stored in reservoirs, soil moisture, the time of year, and other relevant factors for assessing the extent and severity of dry conditions.
D3 – Extreme Drought
Total: 3 counties Includes: Cabarrus, Stanly, Union
D2 – Severe Drought
Total: 72 counties Includes:
Alamance
Alexander
Anson
Ashe
Avery
Beaufort
Bertie
Bladen
Buncombe
Caldwell
Caswell
Catawba
Chatham
Cherokee
Clay
Cleveland
Craven
Cumberland
Davidson
Davie
Duplin
Durham
Edgecombe
Forsyth
Franklin
Gaston
Graham
Granville
Greene
Guilford
Halifax
Harnett
Haywood
Hertford
Hoke
Iredell
Jackson
Johnston
Lee
Lenoir
Lincoln
Macon
Madison
Martin
Mecklenburg
Mitchell
Montgomery
Moore
Nash
Northampton
Orange
Person
Pitt
Polk
Randolph
Richmond
Rockingham
Rowan
Rutherford
Sampson
Scotland
Stokes
Swain
Vance
Wake
Warren
Watauga
Wayne
Wilkes
Wilson
Yadkin
Yancey
D1 – Moderate Drought
Total: 24 counties Includes:
Alleghany
Brunswick
Burke
Camden
Chowan
Columbus
Currituck
Dare
Gates
Henderson
Hyde
Jones
McDowell
New Hanover
Onslow
Pamlico
Pasquotank
Pender
Perquimans
Robeson
Surry
Transylvania
Tyrrell
Washington
D0 – Abnormally Dry
Total: 1 county Includes: Carteret
Residents are strongly encouraged to continue water conservation efforts and stay informed about local drought conditions.
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