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Moderate Drought Conditions Affect Five South Carolina Counties

Aerial view of dry and cracked farmland in South Carolina

News Summary

Five counties in South Carolina, including Charleston and Berkeley, are experiencing moderate drought conditions. This has raised concerns about agricultural productivity and wildfire risks in the state. While 41 additional counties are at incipient drought status, the current situation is compounded by below-normal rainfall and streamflow levels. Reports indicate a significant rise in wildfire incidents, with over 300 wildfires recorded in March alone. The Drought Response Committee plans to reassess the situation on May 22 as community awareness about these conditions grows.

Columbia, South Carolina — Five counties in South Carolina are currently experiencing moderate drought conditions, characterized as the second level of drought severity. The affected counties are Charleston, Berkeley, Georgetown, Marion, and Horry. These counties have faced insufficient rainfall, which has raised concerns about agricultural productivity and increased wildfire risk in the state.

According to the latest reports, 41 additional counties throughout South Carolina are at an “incipient” drought status. This status represents the second phase of a five-point scale that assesses drought severity, which ranges from “normal” to “extreme.” This indicates that while the situation is more serious in the five designated counties, the remaining regions are also facing less than ideal moisture levels.

Since late fall, South Carolina has recorded below-normal rainfall across most of the state. Notably, weather stations in the Coastal Plain and Pee Dee areas have documented precipitation levels dropping below 60% of normal for the winter and spring months. For example, North Charleston received only 5.52 inches of rain from January 1 to April 30, which is approximately 42% of expected rainfall for that timeframe. Similarly, Hilton Head Island reported 6.07 inches of rain, representing a shortfall of 47%, while Moncks Corner had just 7.38 inches, or 55% of normal levels.

The Drought Response Committee identified North Charleston’s rainfall station as recording the lowest percentage of normal precipitation in the state. This ongoing issue is compounded by persistent below-normal streamflow conditions in the upstate, reinforcing the need for continued monitoring of drought conditions. Counties, particularly Berkeley and Charleston, have been upgraded to moderate drought status due to below-normal groundwater levels, which are contributing to declining streamflows in the central Santee River Basin.

As drought conditions worsen, the risk of wildfires has also significantly increased. The South Carolina Forestry Commission reported responding to 301 wildfires in March alone, which burned a total of 7,264 acres. There was a notable spike in wildfire incidents, with 104 wildfires occurring in a single day on March 1. Comparatively, 2023 has seen a 21.4% rise in the total number of wildfires, with a total of 1,418 incidents reported since the beginning of the year. This figure surpasses the 10-year average of 1,168 wildfires.

The total acreage affected by wildfires this year has reached 30,965 acres, which is a staggering 176.5% greater than the 10-year average. Fire incidents have prompted county officials, particularly in Berkeley County, to warn citizens about high fire conditions attributed to factors like wind and low humidity. Residents are being urged to exercise extreme caution when considering burning activities.

The Drought Response Committee is actively monitoring the evolving situation and plans to reconvene on May 22, where further assessments regarding the drought and wildfire risks will take place. The emphasis on monitoring indicates the growing need for community awareness and proactive measures to mitigate the impact of these conditions on both the environment and local agriculture.