Drought watch advisory expands to 50 counties, 23 cities in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has expanded the drought watch advisory to include 50 counties and 23 cities in Virginia.

According to the DEQ, the drought watch advisory issued on Monday is intended to help Virginians prepare for a potential drought, as the lack of precipitation recently has led to "below normal or declines in streamflow and groundwater levels" in several parts of the state.

(Graphic: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality)

As of Monday, Nov. 17, the advisory remains in effect for the following areas:

• Middle James: Albemarle, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Nelson, Powhatan, Prince Edward counties, as well as the cities of Charlottesville, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Lynchburg, Petersburg and Richmond.
• Northern Virginia:  Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties, as well as the cities of Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. 
• Northern Piedmont: Culpeper, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties, as well as the city of Fredericksburg.
• Roanoke River: Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Patrick, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Pittsylvania, and Roanoke counties, as well as the cities of Bedford, Martinsville, Salem and Roanoke.
• Upper James: Alleghany, Bath, Craig, Botetourt, Highland, and Rockbridge counties, as well as the city of Covington.
• Shenandoah: Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties, as well as the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro and Winchester.

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

See the current drought status for your locality here.