Buncombe County currently has over 12” deficit of rain since September 2025. The entire state is under a burn ban although no water use restrictions have been implemented. Multiple wildfires are burning now. The rivers are very low. The soil in my yard is clay, and clay without water equals brick, so trying to hoe the garden is like hoeing pavement. All of the plants are flowering and budding out, but no water and record breaking heat are causing them to slow down and struggle. My allergies are acting up worse than normal as are a lot of other people’s.