There has been ZERO precipitation over the last 16 days.  Over the last nine days the max temperature has been 90 or above eight of them.  The ground is dry and hard.  Water levels in nearby water bodies and water courses is exceptionally low.  The small pond across the street only has about 10% of its normal level.  It is so low that the normal flock of Canadian geese have abandoned it.  The Neuse River is so low numerous sand bars are visible and you could walk across it and rarely get water above your ankles. 
Many urban and forest plants and trees are stressed.  Tree species such as river birch, poplar, red maple and elm are shedding leaves prematurely.  Even the pines are casting needles at an accelerated rate.  Many landscape plants are also drooping from moisture stress.
Most agricultural fields are also suffering from lack of moisture.  Corn, which was planted late due to the earlier drought, is stunted and curling.  Soybean fields are thin and stunted.  Unirrigated tobacco fields are not fairing any better.
Fire departments are responding to more frequent brush and grass fires and extinguishment is more difficult due to the excessively dry conditions. 
Keeping the house cool is putting a strain on my 14 year old heat pump.  It seems to run almost constantly just to keep the house at 74 degrees.