Rain has reduced drought conditions in North Carolina, according to Thursday morning’s weekly update from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought or worse is 6.2% of the state, severe drought or worse is 29.2% and moderate drought is 81.4%. On April 21, 100% of the state was in moderate drought or more; 95.54% was severe or more; 38.11% was extreme or more; and no area was in exceptional drought. Agriculture and agribusiness are a $102 billion annual economic impact for North Carolina. North Carolina production is No.