COLUMBIA, S.C. — Officials announced on Wednesday that 14 counties from the Midlands to the southeastern corner of the state are no longer under a drought designation, including Richland, Lexington, Sumter, Calhoun, Clarendon and Orangeburg counties.
These areas experienced substantial rainfall, with totals ranging from 4 to over 12 inches since early November. The rainfall was attributed to an unusual weather pattern involving a stalled front and tropical moisture from the Caribbean and Atlantic.
Despite the improvement, 32 counties remain under the lowest level of drought, "incipient," due to insufficient rainfall. Many Upstate and Pee Dee regions continue to face dry conditions, which have worsened in some areas over the past month, according to State Climatologist Hope Mizzell and hydrologist Scott Harder.
The next South Carolina Drought Response Committee meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2024. The committee will convene sooner if needed.
