For previously issued drought statements see the archived status reports.
Table of all counties and drought status.The drought is officially over for all South Carolina counties according to the S.C. Drought Response Committee. The committee via a conference call meeting on April 24th downgraded the drought from moderate to no drought for 22 counties and from incipient to no drought for the remaining counties.
Chris Bickley, Executive Director, Lowcountry Council of Governments and representative from the West Drought Management Area stressed, "The Committee usually avoids downgrading the drought two levels, but in today's decision there was consistent and overwhelming support from all the drought indicators combined with a high probability for above normal precipitation in the upcoming weeks."
According to Hope Mizzell, SC State Climatologist, "Most stations across the State reported 100% to 225% of normal rainfall over the past 60 days (see table). The most important factor ending the drought; however, has been the State's adequate rainfall for an extended 5-month period, which coincided with the hydrologic recharge season."
STATION NAME | RAINFALL (Inches) | % OF NORMAL | STATION NAME | RAINFALL (Inches) | % OF NORMAL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winnsboro | 7.02 | 88 | Walhall 1.5 NW* | 14.00 | 130 | |
Cheraw | 6.57 | 88 | Andrews | 9.04 | 134 | |
Darlington | 7.83 | 105 | Brookgreen Gardens | 11.69 | 158 | |
Columbia Metro | 8.22 | 105 | Edisto Island | 11.54 | 171 | |
Anderson | 9.71 | 106 | Walterboro 1 SW | 12.83 | 171 | |
Saluda | 8.89 | 106 | Allendale 2 NW | 13.25 | 181 | |
Sumter | 8.14 | 109 | Varnville 6.7 SW* | 14.85 | 200 | |
Orangeburg 2 | 8.19 | 116 | Charleston 6.8W* | 15.37 | 225 |
* Stations from Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network
Joe Gellici, State Hydrologist, reported that normal to above-normal rainfall during the crucial recharge season has greatly improved streamflow conditions statewide. In December 2012, 12 out of 17 monitored streams were in severe or extreme drought. Only one stream at this time is in drought according to the Drought Regulations criteria and that is North Fork Edisto which is in incipient drought.
Reports from agriculture were positive with the USDA Farm Service Agency reporting only 2% of the State with inadequate soil moisture to start the growing season. The presentation from SC Forestry Commission was also encouraging with reports of below average fire activity during April and no drought-related fire control issues.
Drought Response Committee Chairman Ken Rentiers said, "The last time the State was drought-free was June 2010 with only 10 total drought-free months going back to July 2006. Drought episodes since the late 1990s have highlighted the importance of South Carolina's coordinated state and local drought response. The time and effort of each Drought Response Committee member has been vital to the process and greatly appreciated. After enduring these multi-year droughts we have learned to be vigilant and we will continue to monitor the situation closely."
DNR protects and manages South Carolina's natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state's natural resources and its people. Find out more about DNR at the DNR Web site.
Current Drought Status by County | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Normal | Incipient | Moderate | Severe | Extreme |
County Status |
County Status |
County Status |
County Status |
County Status |
ABBEVILLE Normal |
AIKEN Normal |
ALLENDALE Normal |
ANDERSON Normal |
BAMBERG Normal |
BARNWELL Normal |
BEAUFORT Normal |
BERKELEY Normal |
CALHOUN Normal |
CHARLESTON Normal |
CHEROKEE Normal |
CHESTER Normal |
CHESTERFIELD Normal |
CLARENDON Normal |
COLLETON Normal |
DARLINGTON Normal |
DILLON Normal |
DORCHESTER Normal |
EDGEFIELD Normal |
FAIRFIELD Normal |
FLORENCE Normal |
GEORGETOWN Normal |
GREENVILLE Normal |
GREENWOOD Normal |
HAMPTON Normal |
HORRY Normal |
JASPER Normal |
KERSHAW Normal |
LANCASTER Normal |
LAURENS Normal |
LEE Normal |
LEXINGTON Normal |
MARION Normal |
MARLBORO Normal |
MCCORMICK Normal |
NEWBERRY Normal |
OCONEE Normal |
ORANGEBURG Normal |
PICKENS Normal |
RICHLAND Normal |
SALUDA Normal |
SPARTANBURG Normal |
SUMTER Normal |
UNION Normal |
WILLIAMSBURG Normal |
YORK Normal |
SC Drought Response Committee Meeting, April 24, 2013 Sign-In sheet | |
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Name & Agency | Name & Agency |
Find out more about the State Climatology Office at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/ or by calling (803) 734-9100.