While the outdoor burn bans were lifted after last weekend’s washout, Columbus County was still considered to be in an extreme drought as of this morning (May 7).
The N.C. Drought Monitor has most of Columbus in an extreme drought, with western parts of the county listed as severe. The addition of an inch last weekend and as much as an inch today have relieved some conditions, but most area waterways are still lower than normal.
No local governments have issued water restrictions, but all customers of municipal systems are urged to practice voluntary water conservation.
January through March was the third driest quarter on record for the county, according to the National Weather Service. Countywide, Columbus is averaging 5.74 inches below mean rainfall for the year, with cumulative deficit of up to ten inches in some areas. The conditions are worsened by the dryer-than-normal winter that came after a slight rainfall deficit for 2025.
NOAA noted that March was 3.01 inches below normal, making for the driest March and so far the driest year in 132 years.
Fire and emergency officials are still urging residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor burning whenever possible. Operators of trucks and heavy equipment should also ensure that chains are not allowed to drag on paved roads, since sparks can ignite a wildfire.
