South Carolina in first stages of drought

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — All of South Carolina is in the first stages of drought and officials meet this week to see if that status needs to be upgraded.

The State Drought Response Committee holds a conference call Friday to review the situation.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported conditions are so bad farmers harvested tomatoes early to save part of their crop. Corn is dying on the stalk in fields that are not irrigated.

The average rainfall in Charleston between March 15 and June 14 is 11 inches. This year’s total is only 4 inches.

The Charleston International Airport reports no rain at all in June, although there were showers along the coast Wednesday.

Forecasters say heat and lack of moisture are keeping thunderstorms from forming along the coast.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com