North Carolina needs more than 12 inches of rain to begin recovering from its worsening drought, but the forecast offers little relief, according to WRAL meteorologists.
Parts of Wake County have reached extreme drought as drinking-water reservoirs continue to shrink, raising concerns about water supplies and fire danger.
Here's what to know
The severe-drought zone also extended farther east. A Nov. 5 drought status report showed 8% of North Carolina in extreme drought, up from 2% in the Oct. 29 update. WRAL meteorologist Grant Skinner noted that the area's most recent measurable rainfall came on Oct. 17, when it recorded only three-quarters of an inch.
Rain and storms were forecast for Nov. 6, with expected rainfall ranging from one-quarter inch to 1 inch, but WRAL meteorologists said that amount would likely do little to improve conditions.
More background
Falls Lake, the Raleigh area's primary water source, had dropped to 245.3 feet as of Nov. 5, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. That was its lowest level during this drought, putting it more than 6 feet below its water-storage conservation pool, WRAL noted.
Along with dwindling drinking-water supplies, the dry conditions have heightened fire danger. That increased fire risk affects residents planning to use fire pits during the fall. The drought may also reportedly cause trees to lose their foliage earlier than usual.
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What's being done?
Durham has spent months under Stage 2 water restrictions and is nearing the point at which Stage 3 would take effect, potentially bringing tighter limits on water use as reservoir supplies decline.
Wake County, meanwhile, has no water restrictions in place, even as parts of the county experience extreme drought, according to WRAL.
In Durham, Lake Michie was holding just 42% of its storage capacity as the city approached the trigger for its next stage of water restrictions.
Where can I learn more?
The drought's effects are visible in North Carolina's shrinking reservoirs and exposed lakebeds. These stories cover drought conditions in North Carolina and beyond.
• In Greensboro, a resident filmed Lake Townsend drying out, revealing areas normally underwater.
• Northeast Florida's aquifer needs 30 extra inches of rain as local springs dry up.
• Florida's rainfall has failed to relieve drought, leaving once-weekly watering restrictions through spring.
• England needs 120% of normal rainfall by April to end its drought.
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