Press Releases

Drought conditions in parts of the mountains and coast eased last week due to heavy rain in some areas, but most of North Carolina continued to remain in drought conditions as the trend of higher-than-average temperatures and below normal rain continued, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday. Because many river, reservoir and groundwater levels remain below normal, the public is encouraged to conserve water in areas categorized as being in the worst drought conditions.  

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries’ scoping period for Red Drum begins today, providing fishermen and other stakeholders an opportunity to share ideas on potential management strategies for the scheduled comprehensive review of the N.C. Red Drum Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory for two sound-side swimming areas in Carteret County.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today lifted the precautionary advisory against swimming in ocean-side waters in Dare County affected by hazardous weather conditions caused by the recent nor’easter.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting applications for approximately $2.5 million in funding through Phases 3 and 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) to help coastal communities design and implement projects that strengthen local resilience to coastal hazards. Applications are due Nov. 10, 2026, by 5 p.m. 

Two years ago, Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, taking more than 100 lives and causing an estimated $60 billion in damage. One of the top priorities at the NC Department of Environmental Quality has been helping communities recover and rebuild to make communities more resilient and safer when facing future disasters.

MOREHEAD CITY – Advisories against swimming were posted today at two sound-side sites in Carteret County, where state officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

MOREHEAD CITY – State recreational water quality officials today advise the public to avoid swimming in ocean and sound-side waters in Dare County affected by hazardous weather conditions.

NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Reid Wilson joined coastal communities, resilience partners and consultants in New Bern today to celebrate five years of the Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) and look ahead to the next phase of helping communities turn resilience priorities into action.

The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint Program (Blueprint) will hold a public information session on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. to provide information and gather feedback on two draft flood resilience plans: the Cape Fear River Basin Action Strategy and the White Oak River Basin Action Strategy.