Drought conditions persist throughout much of North Carolina despite the heavy rains over the past few weeks.  According to the latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor, the conditions in Wayne and Lenoir counties have improved slightly over the past week.  Both Wayne and Lenoir counties are now listed as “Abnormally Dry.”  Much of the central and southernmost areas of North Carolina are still listed in “Moderate Drought” with a small area of the southern area of the state even listed in “Severe Drought.”