South Carolina Current Drought Status

State Climate Office                
NEWS RELEASE          DNR News 803-667-0696
October 26, 2016

South Carolina Drought Response Committee updates drought status for counties statewide

For previously issued drought statements see the archived status reports.

The South Carolina Drought Response Committee, which is comprised of representatives from multiple state and local agencies, met via conference call Wednesday to update the drought status for all counties within the state.

According to information provided by SCDNR State Climatologist Hope Mizzell, some counties in the Upstate have received less than ten percent of normal rainfall throughout the last 60 days, intensifying the impacts to agriculture, increasing concern regarding forest fires and lowering streamflow and lake levels.

"It is rare to see such a range of extremes with Myrtle Beach receiving over 33 inches of rain over the last 60 days, while Easley reports only 75 one-hundredths of an inch," Mizzell stated.

COCORaHS Rainfall totals (inches) from August 27, 2016 to October 26, 2016:

The committee faces a challenge as it tries to agree on a declaration for each county that takes into consideration multiple factors, including agriculture, forest fire risk, water supply and water quality.

"The committee will closely monitor the situation since the forecast is for a continued pattern of below normal rainfall,” Drought Response Committee Chairman Ken Rentiers stated.

According to the S.C. Department of Agriculture, fields in the Pee Dee are drying out from Hurricane Matthew and the worsening drought in the Upstate and Piedmont is weighing heavily on livestock and crops.

"I have heard from farmers, extension agents, and our staff in the Upstate that yields on summer pasture, forages, and row crops may be down by 50 to 70 percent," Commissioner Hugh Weathers stated. "The data collected from the weekly crop progress reports confirm degradation of range and pasture conditions and minimal soil moisture."

As for wildfires, the numbers are near average levels. But to extinguish the fires occurring in the Upstate, particularly those in the mountains, more time and resources are required.

"Wildfires occurring in the mountains and Piedmont are exhibiting aggressive fire behavior, therefore increasing safety concerns," S.C. Forestry Commission Fire Staff Forester Brad Bramlett said. "The main fire season in South Carolina is usually December through April. The dry conditions in the upper parts of the state have made the environment right for that to move up sooner. We advise that all outdoor burning be conducted with extreme caution." More information concerning outdoor burning or wildfires can be found at http://trees.sc.gov/fireburn.htm.

Streamflow conditions in the Upper Savannah and Upper Santee Basins have been below normal for much of the past six months, and those conditions have worsened since early to mid-September as the result of continued low rainfall patterns.

"Subsequently, lake levels in these basins continue to drop with Lake Hartwell and Lake Thurmond down approximately seven and eight feet, and Lake Greenwood and Lake Murray both down approximately two feet," SCDNR Hydrologist Scott Harder said. "The streamflow and lake level conditions supported the decision to upgrade the drought statuses to severe for Oconee, Pickens and Anderson Counties, and to moderate for the other Upstate counties in the Piedmont."

Counties in other portions of the state were upgraded to normal drought statuses due to above normal rainfall over the last 60 days.

"Three tropical systems since Sept. 1 brought an abundance of rainfall and flooding to portions of South Carolina,” Mizzell explained, “but the Upstate missed out on all three rain events."

Contact Dr. Mizzell in Columbia at (803) 734-9568 or e-mail at mizzellh@dnr.sc.gov for more information.

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.

Find out more about the State Climatology Office at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/ or by calling (803) 734-9100.