Richmond, Va. – Due to recent precipitation across the Commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, has lifted drought advisories for 12 counties in Virginia. As a result, no counties remain under a drought watch or warning advisory. The last time the Commonwealth was not under any drought advisory was June 20, 2024.
Drought watch advisories have been lifted for the following regions:
- Northern Virginia: Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties
- Shenandoah: Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties
Several factors have contributed to the lifting of advisories. The past two weeks have brought plentiful rainfall over the entirety of the Commonwealth, further improving soil moisture and surface water flows within all major watersheds. Improvements in groundwater levels have also been observed throughout the State with below normal levels noted in only a few wells in the Eastern Shore, Northern Virginia, Roanoke and Shenandoah Regions. Storage volumes at all major water supply reservoirs remain at normal levels.
The Drought Monitoring Task Force will continue closely monitoring drought indicators. All Virginians are encouraged to protect water supplies by minimizing water use, monitoring drought conditions, and detecting and repairing leaks.
See the current drought status on the DEQ website.
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