RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — All localities in Virginia are under either a drought watch or drought warning advisory as of Monday, according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
According to a June 24 DEQ press release, 12 of Virginia’s counties are under a drought warning advisory and the state’s remaining 95 counties and cities are under a drought watch advisory.
Virginia DEQ said these conditions are the result of lower-than-normal stream flows and declining groundwater levels, reportedly worsened by lack of rain and high temperatures.
June 24 drought advisory across state of Virginia. (Photo: Virginia DEQ)
A drought warning advisory means a significant drought is “imminent,” according to the release. The following counties are under this drought warning advisory:
Shenandoah Region
Augusta County
Rockingham County
Shenandoah County
Frederick County
Page County
Warren County
Clarke County
Northern Virginia Region
Fauquier County
Loudoun County
Prince William County
Arlington County
Fairfax County
A drought watch advisory means Virginians should prepare for a possible drought, according to the release. The following counties and cities are under this drought watch advisory:
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Northern Coastal Plain Region
Caroline, King George, King William, King and Queen, Essex, Richmond, Westmoreland, Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, Lancaster and Northumberland counties
Northern Piedmont Region
Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Orange, Culpeper, Louisa, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties
Middle James Region
Amherst, Lynchburg, Nelson, Albemarle, Appomattox, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Prince Edward, Cumberland, Goochland, Amelia, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties
Cities of Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights
Chowan Region
Lunenburg, Nottoway, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Sussex, Prince George, Southampton and Surry counties
York-James Region
Hampton, Newport News, James City, York, Charles City and New Kent counties
Eastern Shore Region
Accomack and Northampton counties
Big Sandy Region
Lee, Wise, Buchanan, Dickenson, Scott, Russell, Tazewell, Washington and Smyth counties
New River Region
Grayson, Wythe, Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Pulaski, Giles and Montgomery counties
Roanoke River Region
Patrick, Franklin, Roanoke, Henry, Bedford, Pittsylvania, Campbell, Halifax, Charlotte and Mecklenburg counties
Southeast Virginia Region
Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and Norfolk
Upper James Region
Craig, Alleghany, Bath, Highland, Botetourt and Rockbridge counties
For the most up-to-date drought status, visit the Virginia DEQ’s website.
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — All localities in Virginia are under either a drought watch or drought warning advisory as of Monday, according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
According to a June 24 DEQ press release, 12 of Virginia’s counties are under a drought warning advisory and the state’s remaining 95 counties and cities are under a drought watch advisory.
Virginia DEQ said these conditions are the result of lower-than-normal stream flows and declining groundwater levels, reportedly worsened by lack of rain and high temperatures.
June 24 drought advisory across state of Virginia. (Photo: Virginia DEQ)
A drought warning advisory means a significant drought is “imminent,” according to the release. The following counties are under this drought warning advisory:
Shenandoah Region
Augusta County
Rockingham County
Shenandoah County
Frederick County
Page County
Warren County
Clarke County
Northern Virginia Region
Fauquier County
Loudoun County
Prince William County
Arlington County
Fairfax County
A drought watch advisory means Virginians should prepare for a possible drought, according to the release. The following counties and cities are under this drought watch advisory:
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Northern Coastal Plain Region
Caroline, King George, King William, King and Queen, Essex, Richmond, Westmoreland, Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, Lancaster and Northumberland counties
Northern Piedmont Region
Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Orange, Culpeper, Louisa, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties
Middle James Region
Amherst, Lynchburg, Nelson, Albemarle, Appomattox, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Prince Edward, Cumberland, Goochland, Amelia, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties
Cities of Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights
Chowan Region
Lunenburg, Nottoway, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Sussex, Prince George, Southampton and Surry counties
York-James Region
Hampton, Newport News, James City, York, Charles City and New Kent counties
Eastern Shore Region
Accomack and Northampton counties
Big Sandy Region
Lee, Wise, Buchanan, Dickenson, Scott, Russell, Tazewell, Washington and Smyth counties
New River Region
Grayson, Wythe, Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Pulaski, Giles and Montgomery counties
Roanoke River Region
Patrick, Franklin, Roanoke, Henry, Bedford, Pittsylvania, Campbell, Halifax, Charlotte and Mecklenburg counties
Southeast Virginia Region
Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and Norfolk
Upper James Region
Craig, Alleghany, Bath, Highland, Botetourt and Rockbridge counties
For the most up-to-date drought status, visit the Virginia DEQ’s website.