MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – Families, farmers, gardeners, and anyone making plans for the Fourth of July weekend are dealing with extreme drought conditions after the latest U.S. Drought Monitor showed dry conditions locking in across the Grand Strand and Pee Dee.
A heat wave building into the holiday weekend, along with the ongoing drought, has triggered mandatory water limits for some local utility customers, a drought emergency declaration in Loris, and warnings from fire officials to leave the fireworks to the professionals.
SOUTH CAROLINA
The newest U.S. Drought Monitor map was released Thursday, July 2, with data valid as of Tuesday, June 30, at 8 a.m.
Statewide, about 3.93 million residents are currently living in drought-affected areas. The latest update shows:
- 100% of South Carolina is abnormally dry or worse.
- 84.53% of South Carolina is in moderate drought or worse.
- 56.38% of South Carolina is in severe drought or worse.
- 17.79% of South Carolina is in extreme drought or worse.
- 0% is in exceptional drought.
The coverage of extreme drought increased significantly compared to last week (rising from 10.36% to 17.79%). Dry weather paired with an intense building heat wave is raising the risk of further drought expansion or intensification as we head through the holiday weekend.
GRAND STRAND
Severe and extreme drought conditions remain stubbornly in place across the Grand Strand…