Pair unrelenting heat with a months-long dry spell, and you have the recipe for central North Carolina’s ongoing drought.
On top of sweltering heat, the persistent lack of rain has been the storyline for large swaths of the country for months. Water officials said this drought we are currently experiencing will likely be record-setting.
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Drought.gov shows the entirety of North Carolina under some sort of drought, with 53% in a severe drought, 33.8% in extreme drought and 3% under exceptional drought (Durham, Granville, Orange and Alamance counties).
This stretch mirrors the 2007-2008 drought, where sustained periods of significant rainfall are sorely needed to put a dent in our deficit. The WRAL Weather Team says that 12 to 14 inches of rain are still needed across almost our entire area to end our drought within a one-month period.
With no end in sight, we're told officials will crack down on the water restrictions already in place, with the impact on the water supply and the agriculture industry becoming more of a factor.
Raleigh environmental coordinator Ed Buchan said Falls Lake, Raleigh's primary source of drinking water, was down to under 70% of its normal water level. In April, the lake’s water supply was in the mid-80% range.
“We saw some early reports from the National Weather Service that seemed to indicate that we might have better chances of rain in May and June," Buchan said. "Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened yet, so we’re still waiting on that."
At Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the sensors haven't logged measurable rainfall since May 25. Officials said the key is not just rain anywhere in the region, but sustained rainfall in the Falls Lake watershed. Brief pop-up storms may bring temporary relief from the heat, but they are unlikely to erase a months-long rainfall deficit.
Raleigh isn’t the only city taking action. Starting Monday, Durham will join Raleigh in enforcing water-use restrictions as officials across the Triangle work to protect the shrinking water supply. In Chatham County, TriRiver Water customers in the Chatham County North District will be under water restrictions starting on June 15.
Buchan said residents can help by making simple changes at home, including only running full loads of dishes and laundry and taking shorter showers.
The effects of the drought are also becoming more visible on local waterways. At Lake Johnson, paddlers said lower water levels are making it harder to get around, even as the water offers some relief from the heat.
“It’s a lot harder to paddle, but it feels good to get in the water,” said Carter Saint Patrick.
Buchan said Raleigh has recorded 355 water restriction violations. With the end of the drought still out of sight, he said enforcement could intensify.
“We are just sitting at Stage 1, continuing to manage our water resources as best as we can,” Buchan said.
Long-term rain trends do show rain is possible for the central and eastern parts of the U.S. in mid-to-late June.
