Drought Information Statement for Southeastern NC and Northeastern SC
Valid September 25, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service Wilmington, NC
Contact Information: ilm.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated October 1, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  

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

U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought Intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): None
D3 (Extreme Drought):Horry, southeastern Marion, and western Brunswick counties
D2 (Severe Drought): Columbus, Dillon, Florence, Williamsburg, Georgetown, southern Bladen, southern Robeson, Marlboro, northwestern Marion, and Darlington counties
D1 (Moderate Drought): Western Pender, eastern Brunswick, and northern Bladen.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Northern Robeson, and western New Hanover counties

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Stage and flow on some rivers have deteriorated over the past week.  Flow on the Lumber River at Boardman, the Black River at Kingstree, and the Lynches River at Effingham is near the 5th percentile for late September. The Lumber River at Lumberton and the Little Pee Dee River at Galivants Ferry are near the 10th percentile. The Cape Fear and Waccamaw Rivers have the highest flows relative to normal, but are only slightly above the 25th percentile.

Agricultural Impacts
Brunswick County, NC Agricultural Extension officials report “Low yields are being observed, especially in dry-land crops.” 
A report from Bladen County, NC says ”Crop stress has been mitigated with rainfall over the last few weeks, but we were hot and dry last week causing some stress.”
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, Florence, and Darlington, SC.  
Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter

Long-Range Outlooks
Monthly Outlooks for October indicate “equal chances” for below, near, or above normal rainfall totals.  
Temperature outlooks show a 40-50 percent chance of above normal temperatures through the month of October.

Drought Outlook
The latest seasonal outlook through December shows improving drought conditions are expected across much of eastern North and South Carolina.