Drought in Greater Oconee, South Carolina

Abnormally dry weather that began early in the year across portions of Upstate South Carolina (especially western portions) and continued through the spring and especially early summer resulted in establishment of severe to extreme drought conditions across the area by August. Combined rainfall for June and July was at least five inches below normal. All but a few areas saw less than an inch of rainfall during this time, while some locations received virtually no rainfall. The extremely dry weather combined with abnormally hot temperatures to produce significant impacts to agricultural interests, mainly to unirrigated corn crops and hay cutting operations. Stream flows and reservoir levels were well below normal across the area, and voluntary water restrictions were in place in some communities by early August.