The state and local representatives from the Drought Response Committee decided September 5, 2007 that conditions have continued to deteriorate. The Committee upgraded the drought level to severe for all counties except Beaufort and Jasper. Drought levels are declared in four stages from incipient to moderate, severe followed by extreme. The state has been under a moderate drought declaration since June 6, 2007.
According to Hope Mizzell, SC State Climatologist, there was general consensus that most counties should be upgraded based on the drought impact to agriculture, forestry, and hydrology. Beaufort and Jasper were excluded due the heavy rainfall received over the past two weeks. There was also discussion about the potential rainfall from the low-pressure system off the coast, however, the committee agreed they could not make a drought declaration based on a forecast. The committee will closely monitor the system and if significant rain is received and conditions improve in areas they will reconvene. Likewise local committee members recognized that some indicators supported an extreme declaration for portions of the upstate and this would also be monitored closely.
While there is no recommendation for mandatory water restrictions from the SC Drought Response Committee there may be restrictions that result from local water system ordinances going to the severe level. The committee does hope the upgrade will increase awareness and water systems and industries are encouraged to closely monitor conditions and implement their local drought plans as needed. For more information about drought, visit the Office of State Climatology Web site at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/ or contact State Climatologist Hope Mizzell at (803) 734-9568 in Columbia.
Forestry and agriculture had reports of increasing concern about conditions. According to David Tompkins with the S.C. Department of Agriculture, "I've talked to a lot of people around the state, and few have received adequate moisture. Especially hard hit have been soybeans and cotton. Livestock producers are concerned about the lack of feed and forage going into winter. We've got to get a long period of normal rainfall to get back where we need to be."
Darryl Jones, Forest Protection Chief with the S.C. Forestry Commission stated, "The prolonged dry weather has negatively impacted forest resources in the state. In July and August, the SC Forestry Commission responded to 518 wildfires that burned more than 2,730 acres. Wildfire occurrence in July and August is typically very low. Fires have burned more intensely, requiring more personnel and equipment to control, and the high temperatures have made it much harder on our firefighters. Without widespread rainfall, the fall wildfire season, which typically occurs in October and November, has the potential to be very active."
State Hydrologist Bud Badr reported all lake levels are below normal (except Lake Murray, which is slightly above normal). Badr reports 12 of 17 drought-monitoring stations around the state are in a drought category with two in Severe and ten in Extreme. David Baize with S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported that his agency has received reports of 15 water systems with water restrictions in place. Ten are reporting voluntary restrictions with five reporting mandatory.
Power generating facilities have implemented their federally approved drought protocols and plans. Water suppliers have also implemented local drought measures. "The SC Drought Response Committee's decision demonstrates that coordination and consistency between local, state, and federal drought response is important for effective drought planning and management," said Steve de Kozlowski of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Interim Deputy Director.
Current Drought Status by County | ||||
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Normal | Incipient | Moderate | Severe | Extreme |
County Status |
County Status |
County Status |
County Status |
County Status |
ABBEVILLE Severe |
AIKEN Severe |
ALLENDALE Severe |
ANDERSON Severe | BAMBERG Severe |
BARNWELL Severe |
BEAUFORT Moderate |
BERKELEY Severe |
CALHOUN Severe |
CHARLESTON Severe |
CHEROKEE Severe |
CHESTER Severe |
CHESTERFIELD Severe |
CLARENDON Severe |
COLLETON Severe |
DARLINGTON Severe |
DILLON Severe |
DORCHESTER Severe |
EDGEFIELD Severe |
FAIRFIELD Severe |
FLORENCE Severe |
GEORGETOWN Severe |
GREENVILLE Severe |
GREENWOOD Severe |
HAMPTON Severe |
HORRY Severe |
JASPER Moderate |
KERSHAW Severe |
LANCASTER Severe |
LAURENS Severe |
LEE Severe |
LEXINGTON Severe |
MARION Severe |
MARLBORO Severe |
MCCORMICK Severe |
NEWBERRY Severe |
OCONEE Severe |
ORANGEBURG Severe |
PICKENS Severe |
RICHLAND Severe |
SALUDA Severe |
SPARTANBURG Severe |
SUMTER Severe |
UNION Severe |
WILLIAMSBURG Severe |
YORK Severe |
SC Drought Response Committee Meeting, September 5, 2007 Sign-In sheet | |
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Name & Agency | Name & Agency |
1) Gregory Lambert, NWS 2) Steve Wilson, West Anderson Water District 3) Gene Hogan, Senate Ag & Natural Resource Commission 4) Marty Barfield, Pee Dee River Coalition 5) Dara Park, PDREC, Clemson University 6) Oscar Black 7) Scott Hawkins, Forestry Commission 8) Eric Odom, Orangeburg DPU 9) Brett Witt, DNR 10) Sarah Ellisor, USGS 11) John Baker, International Paper 12) George Galleher, Duke Energy 13) Kirsten Lackstrom, USC, Dept. of Geography 14) Nick Keener, Duke Energy 15) Tom Couch-City of Camden 16) Rhonda Brandt, USDA-NASS 17) Pickens Williams-Barnwell County 18) Seanna Adcox, The AP 19) Joe Derrick-Edgefield County 20) Marion Rizer-Colleton County |
21) Brian Burgess-Saluda County Water & Sewer 22) Michael E. Hancock-L-EWA 23) Bill Payne-WSRS-SRS 24) Steve Hammond-Duke Energy 25) Bill Stroud 26) John Westcott-Spartanburg Water 27) Fred Boatwright-Orangeburg DPU 28) Darryl Jones-SC Forestry Commission 29) S. Ellisor - USGS 30) Dean Moss - BJWSA 31) Mike Caston-SJWD Water District 32) Francis Tubolino - SCEMD 33) Pickens Williams 34) Jim Witkowski 35) Kenneth McCaskill, USDA, FSA 36) David Baize - SCDHEC 37) Bill Taylor-Town of Cheraw 38) Stuart Ames-Progress Energy 39) Brad Powers - BRRWC 40) David Tompkins - SCDA |
Find out more about the State Climatology Office at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/ or by calling (803) 734-9100.