Drought conditions cause growing pressures

Our area remains as "extreme" or "exceptional drought conditions

(link to story at http://news14.com/)

(link to www.ncdrought.org)

Staff Report

Several news outlets and websites, including News 14 Carolina online (www.news14.com) are reporting on the growing pressures that the drought imposes on our region of the state.

For eastern Hoke County, which is one of the fastest growing areas of North Carolina, officials are scrambling to make sure long-term water supply needs will be met. Although the Fayetteville water supply is expected to help with short term needs, officials are looking at other strategies for the long term, including the possibility of surface water treatment capabilities.

As shown on the map below, which was developed by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council, most of Robeson County is classified as "extreme drought" conditions, while all of Hoke and Moore, and most of Cumberland and Scotland, are classified as "exceptional drought" conditions, which is worse than extreme.