The rain has come and gone but the drought continues to burden parts of North Carolina. Despite three days of rain last week, the state is still about 10 inches below its average annual rainfall.

Meteorologists say the state would need 15 to 20 inches of rain in two weeks to bring North Carolina back up to satisfactory conditions.

Prior to last week’s rain, the triangle area had recieved three-tenths of an inch of rain during the month of October.

North Carolina farmers are some of the most hard hit, experiencing reduced crop production.

The conditions have gotten so bad that Gov. Mike Easley asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare 85 out of 100 North Carolina counties a disaster area. Alamance County is among them.

Disaster classification allows farmers to apply for aid.

“Our farmers need our help, and this disaster assistance may make a difference whether some of them can afford to stay in business,” Easley said in a prepared statement.

Consumers may soon see higher prices for certain produce items particularly affected by the drought, such as corn or soy.

Meat products may also take a hit since some animals were fed less because of higher prices of hay and grain.

News Editor: Olivia Hubert-Allen - 10/31/07