Developing a Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) for the Coastal Carolinas

Launched in 2012, the Coastal Carolinas Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) is a collaborative federal, state, and local interagency effort to improve early warning capacity and resilience to drought with an emphasis on the unique coastal ecosystems of North and South Carolina. Drought in coastal areas can contribute to changing water quality conditions, particularly increased salinity levels and fluctuations, and changes in the availability and timing of freshwater to support animals, plants, and habitats. 

Coastal Carolinas DEWS activities focus on improving the understanding of drought’s effects on coastal environmental resources and developing information to enhance drought monitoring and planning processes.

This document provides a summary of Coastal Carolinas DEWS priorities, projects and activities.