A drought monitor update has been released, though the exact date of the update is unclear, with some reports indicating it occurred on April 16, 2026, and others on July 16, 2026. The update appears to show some areas experiencing relief from drought conditions, while others continue to be affected, with varying levels of improvement reported across different regions. The drought status has led to water restrictions in some areas, such as the City of Statesville, which has moved to stage 2 restrictions.