Last Updated on February 26, 2026 11:53 am
In the latest drought update for North Carolina, severe drought conditions continue to grip much of the state, with Extreme Drought now affecting seven counties and Severe Drought covering 80 counties.
In the High Country, Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties are all in Severe Drought (D2) status.
The weekly update, put out by the North Carolina Drought Management Council, shows a significant and widespread drought situation across North Carolina, with all 100 counties experiencing some level of drought.
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
Cabarrus
Edgecombe
Halifax
Nash
Northampton
Stanly
Union
Total: 7
D2 – Severe Drought
Alamance
Alexander
Anson
Ashe
Avery
Beaufort
Bertie
Bladen
Brunswick
Buncombe
Burke
Caldwell
Caswell
Catawba
Chatham
Cherokee
Clay
Cleveland
Columbus
Craven
Cumberland
Davidson
Davie
Duplin
Durham
Forsyth
Franklin
Gaston
Graham
Granville
Greene
Guilford
Harnett
Haywood
Henderson
Hertford
Hoke
Iredell
Jackson
Johnston
Jones
Lee
Lenoir
Lincoln
Macon
Madison
Martin
McDowell
Mecklenburg
Mitchell
Montgomery
Moore
New Hanover
Onslow
Orange
Pender
Person
Pitt
Polk
Randolph
Richmond
Robeson
Rockingham
Rowan
Rutherford
Sampson
Scotland
Stokes
Swain
Transylvania
Vance
Wake
Warren
Washington
Watauga
Wayne
Wilkes
Wilson
Yadkin
Yancey
Total: 80
D1 – Moderate Drought
Alleghany
Camden
Carteret
Chowan
Currituck
Dare
Gates
Hyde
Pamlico
Pasquotank
Perquimans
Surry
Tyrrell
Total: 13
Residents are strongly encouraged to continue water conservation efforts and stay informed about local drought conditions.
The post Drought Monitor Update – Thursday, February 26, 2026 appeared first on WataugaOnline.com.