Drought watch advisory lifted for over 30 counties in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With the recent increase in rain, the drought watch advisory issued for over 30 counties in Virginia has now been lifted, according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

On Tuesday, June 2, the DEQ announced in a press release that the drought watch advisory that was in place for 32 counties in Virginia has been lifted -- an advisory is still in place for regions in Northern Virginia and Shenandoah.

The drought watch advisories in the following regions have been lifted:

• Eastern Shore Region: Accomack and Northampton counties
• Northern Coastal Plain Region: Caroline, Essex, Gloucester, King George, King William, King and Queen, Lancaster, Matthews, Middlesex, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland counties
• Northern Piedmont Region: Culpeper, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties
• Roanoke River Region: Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Patrick, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Pittsylvania and Roanoke counties

The department said that the drought watch advisories will remain in place for the following regions to help residents prepare for a potential drought:

• Northern Virginia Region: Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudon and Prince William counties
• Shenandoah Region: Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren counties

To see the current status of the drought watch advisories, click here.