Drought in South Carolina

Current Status

Normal
Incipient
Moderate
Severe
Extreme

Number of Counties in Each Category

Latest Drought Committee Meeting:

Drought Conditions >>> Find out more about current drought conditions, how drought status is determined in South Carolina, and view archived drought condition reports.

The next Drought Response Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28th, at 10 A.M.
To join the meeting by computer: teams.microsoft.com, Meeting ID: 232 886 973 920 87, Passcode: pg3T8rW2
Or join by phone: +1 469-702-0883, Phone Conference ID: 158 538 042#
For additional information, please email drought@dnr.sc.gov.

Drought Resources

Learn about drought, drought types, ways to measure drought in a climatological context and how South Carolina monitors and assesses drought.

Helicopters scooping water from reservoir with fire in the background.
Pinnacle Mountain Fire in fall of 2016 resulted in a loss of 10,623 acres. Image Credit: U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Roberto Di Giovine via Flickr CC BY 2.0

Drought Impacts

Drought impacts spread to all water-sensitive sectors. Learn more about how droughts can affect communities and ecosystems and what can be done to reduce these impacts.

Low lake levels and exposed shoreline.
Low lake levels impact energy production, recreation, and wildlife. Image Credit: Mike Burton via Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

Drought Response Committee

The SC Drought Response Committee issues drought status updates and may recommend water use restrictions when conditions escalate to severe or extreme drought.

Cracked clay in dry pond bed.
The SC Drought Response Committee’s role is to ensure safety and well-being of South Carolinians during drought conditions. Image Credit: Janet Tarbox via Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0

Legislation and Plans

South Carolina's drought response encompasses multiple documents, legislation, and plans. Learn more about the State's drought response program and procedures to manage drought.

Participants at table tob exercise.
South Carolina Drought and Water Shortage Tabletop Exercise at the South Carolina Emergency Center on September 27, 2017, in West Columbia, SC. Image Credit: CISA.