Drought Information Statement for Southeastern NC and Northeastern SC
Valid September 3, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service Wilmington, NC
Contact Information: ilm.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated September 11, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  

MODERATE TO SEVERE DROUGHT PERSISTS OVER MOST OF THE AREA.
EXTREME TO EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT CONTINUES ACROSS HORRY, SOUTHEASTERN MARION, AND WESTERN BRUNSWICK COUNTIES.

Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): A small portion of western Brunswick County
D3 (Extreme Drought):Horry, southeastern Marion, and western Brunswick counties
D2 (Severe Drought): Columbus, Dillon, Florence, Williamsburg, Georgetown, southern Bladen, southern Robeson, southern Marlboro, northwestern Marion, and eastern Darlington counties
D1 (Moderate Drought): western Pender, northern Bladen, northern Robeson, northern Marlboro, and western Darlington counties.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): eastern Brunswick and  western New Hanover counties

Precipitation
Light to moderate rainfall occurred on Aug 24, 26, 28, and 30. Locally heavy rain occurred on Aug 27 & 29. 

Two-week rainfall totals vary widely across the area from 40-70 percent of normal in Florence and North Myrtle Beach to 150-250 percent of normal in Lumberton and Wilmington.

Hydrologic Impacts 
Stage and flow on most local North Carolina rivers and along the Waccamaw River in South Carolina have returned to normal ranges. Flow on the Little Pee Dee River at Galivants Ferry, SC; the Lynches River at Effingham, SC; and the Black Creek at Quinby, SC are near the 10th percentile. The Black River at Kingstree, SC is near the 25th percentile.

Agricultural Impacts
Local media quoted an Horry County, SC farmer saying the drought “made it a very very, nearly impossible season to grow. We lost cover crops, and entire planting”
Drought throughout the spring and summer severely impacted the development and maturation of corn and soybeans. It is too late in the season for rain to improve the situation for these crops. 
USDA data shows only 22 percent of North Carolina’s corn was rated “good” or “excellent” and 47 percent was rated “poor” or “very poor.”
Sod and hay production has been significantly reduced by drought.

Fire Hazard Impacts
None 

Other Impacts
Mandatory water conservation measures remain in effect for water systems across Loris, SC. Voluntary water conservation has been requested across Brunswick County, NC; Whiteville, NC; and Georgetown and Florence, SC.  

Agricultural Impacts
The Crop Moisture Index has improved significantly over the past month and shows upper soil moisture returning to near normal. 

Long-Range Outlooks
Monthly Outlooks for September indicate a slightly increased potential for below rainfall totals.  Temperature outlooks show a 40-50 percent chance of above normal temperatures through the month of September.