Rainfall across parts of the Southeast improved drought conditions during the month of April. About 43 percent of the region was classified in moderate-to-extreme drought at the end of April compared to 59 percent a month ago.

The drought across North Carolina has eased considerably over the past few months. At the beginning of the year 99 percent of the state was in a moderate-to-extreme drought. By early this week only 32 percent fell into those categories. About 30 % of the state, including much of northeastern North Carolina is no longer in a drought.