Press Releases

Drought conditions have expanded in North Carolina. Forty-seven counties are now experiencing extreme drought, and most of the rest of the state is in severe drought, according to the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC).

MOREHEAD CITY – An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Beaufort County, where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

The North Carolina Mining Commission Rules Committee will meet at 11 a.m. on April 27, 2026, online via WebEx.

The recreational Black Sea Bass fishing season will open May 1 in North Carolina waters north of Cape Hatteras.

Drought conditions continue to increase in severity across North Carolina. Thirty counties are now experiencing extreme drought, and most counties are experiencing severe or moderate drought, according to the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC).

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that 66 projects in 26 counties across the state will receive more than $215 million in funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The State Water Infrastructure Authority approved the funding. The majority of the funds awarded – approximately $196 million – goes to communities that experienced significant infrastructure damage from Hurricane Helene.

The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet April 15 and 16 at the Town of Ocean Isle Beach, 111 Causeway Drive, Ocean Isle Beach. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting online.

The State Water Infrastructure Authority will meet in person in Hendersonville and by teleconference, via Webex, on Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16.

The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet April 15 and 16 at the Town of Ocean Isle Beach, 111 Causeway Drive, Ocean Isle Beach. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting online.

According to the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC), 15 counties are now experiencing extreme drought, 79 counties are experiencing severe drought, and six counties are in moderate drought.