Drought warning advisory expands to 60 counties, cities in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The drought warning advisory in Virginia has been expanded to include 60 counties and cities, with 15 counties and cities no longer under a drought watch advisory, according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

According to a Friday, July 19, press release, the DEQ, in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, has expanded the drought warning advisory to now include 60 counties and cities.

Previously, 12 of Virginia’s counties were under a drought warning advisory. According to the DEQ, continued precipitation deficits in combination with sustained increased temperatures have resulted in the rapid intensification of drought throughout the majority of the Commonwealth.

Drought warning advisory

According to DEQ, a drought warning advisory indicates a significant drought is imminent and is in effect for the following areas:

• Big Sandy: Lee, Wise, Buchanan, Dickenson, Scott, Russell, Tazewell, Washington and Smyth counties
• Middle James: Albemarle, Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham and Nelson counties, as well as the cities of Charlottesville and Lynchburg
• New River: Grayson, Wythe, Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Pulaski, Giles and Montgomery counties
• Northern Piedmont: Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Orange, Culpeper, Louisa, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties
• Northern Virginia: Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington and Fairfax counties
• Roanoke River: Patrick, Franklin, Roanoke, Henry, Bedford, Pittsylvania, Campbell, Halifax, Charlotte and Mecklenburg counties
• Shenandoah: Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Warren and Clarke counties
• Upper James: Craig, Alleghany, Bath, Highland, Botetourt and Rockbridge counties

Drought watch advisory

A drought watch advisory is intended to help Virginians prepare for a potential drought and remains in effect for the following areas:

• Eastern Shore: Accomack and Northampton counties
• Middle James: Fluvanna, Prince Edward, Cumberland, Goochland, Amelia, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties, as well as the cities of Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights.
• Northern Coastal Plain: Caroline, King George, King William, King and Queen, Essex, Richmond, Westmoreland, Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, Lancaster and Northumberland counties
• York-James: Hampton, Newport News, James City, York, Charles City and New Kent counties

According to DEQ, due to improving conditions related to recent precipitation, the drought watch advisory previously issued for the following regions has been lifted:

• Chowan: Lunenburg, Nottoway, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Sussex, Prince George, Southampton and Surry counties
• Southeast Virginia: Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and Norfolk

DEQ is working with local governments, public water works and water users in the affected areas to ensure that conservation and drought response plans and ordinances are followed.

Localities and Virginians that are supplied water from the Potomac River should consult the Metropolitan Washington Water Supply and Drought Awareness Response Plan for specific triggers and actions to be taken, according to DEQ.

DEQ encourages all Virginians to protect water supplies by minimizing water use, monitoring drought conditions, and detecting and repairing leaks.

For the most up-to-date drought status, visit the Virginia DEQ’s website .

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