(The Center Square) – Arthur, the tropical storm making Wednesday landfall in Matagorda, Texas, diminished intensity as it moved into North Carolina on Friday bringing much-needed rain to a drought-stricken agricultural landscape.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Thursday recorded measurable rain for the first time in 23 days. Parts of the state were forecast for 1 to 3 inches of rain, modest yet very welcomed coupled with Thursday’s weekly update by the U.S. Drought Monitor showing exceptional drought in 7% of the state, extreme drought in more than 46%, and severe drought or worse in 90%.
Central North Carolina is forecast to remain in some level of drought through September.
The remnants of Arthur will eventually reach the Atlantic Ocean off the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast. High winds and rip currents on East Coast beaches is forecast.
The National Hurricane Center’s forecast at 8 a.m. said in part, “Environmental conditions appear to marginally conducive for some subtropical or tropical development tonight or Saturday as the system moves northeastward at around 20 mph across the western Atlantic Ocean. Regardless of development, heavy rainfall with the potential for life-threatening flash flooding is likely across portions of the Southeast United States through tonight.”
Agriculture and agribusiness are a $102 billion annual economic impact for North Carolina. It has been the state’s No. 1 industry forever. About 42,500 farms are operated on 8.1 million acres from Murphy to Manteo.
The state is eighth in the nation in value of agricultural products sold, 14th in exports.
North Carolina production is No. 1 nationally each in sweetpotatoes, all tobacco, flue-cured tobacco, and poultry and eggs. The state is No. 2 in Christmas tree sales, production of turkeys, and food-size trout sold. It is No. 3 in cucumbers and hogs, No. 4 in peanuts and broilers (chicken), and No. 5 in cotton.
Virginia is No. 29 nationally in value of agricultural product sold; No. 3 in tobacco production; and No. 5 in apples.
South Carolina is No. 35 nationally in total agricultural cash receipts; No. 1 production acreage of collard greens, turnip greens, and Southern peas; and No. 2 in peaches.
