Meteorologists say the drought in western North Carolina is the worst in a century, despite recent rains that have caused flash flooding and boosted rivers and streams.
North Carolina's mountain region is entering its third year of serious drought, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported Monday. Records at the National Climatic Data Center show that 28.64 inches of rain fell in Asheville in 2008, making it the sixth driest year since 1902.
Richard Heim of the Asheville-based center said that combining the rain shortfall for the past two years makes the drought the worst in 100 years.
State climatologist Ryan Boyles said the recent rains in the mountains won't be enough alone to break the drought. Boyles said the area needs rain once or twice a week to recharge groundwater supplies.
“While we don't need two to three inches at a time, we do need frequent rainfall,” he said.
The U.S. Drought Monitor issued last week showed all of western North Carolina is in moderate to severe drought conditions.
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