Rains
only slowed farmers

By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

The county’s farmers fared well after Saturday’s heavy rains, but another such storm wouldn’t be welcome right now.

Michael Shaw of the Cooperative Extension Service said Saturday’s two-plus inches of rain may have delayed some corn farmers by three to four days. Otherwise, he said, “we did pretty well.

“Another storm like that right now would cause a lot of trouble,” he said. “So far, it hasn’t really hurt us.”

According to instruments at the Tobacco Research Station near Whiteville, 2.03 inches of rain were recorded Saturday. The heavy storm dropped three inches and more in other areas of the county and throughout the southeast, according to both private gauges and official weather stations.

The Lumber and Cape Fear rivers were placed under flood watches and warnings Sunday in Columbus and Bladen counties. While all watches and warnings were discontinued on the Cape Fear Tuesday, the Lumber was expected to crest just above flood stage at Lumberton Wednesday night. No additional watches or warnings had been issued between Lumberton and Fair Bluff Wednesday.

The heavy weekend rains nibbled away at the drought that left the county more than 20 inches shy of rainfall last year, drying up creeks, ponds and irrigation supplies.

Most area waterways have seen a rise in water levels. Too much or not enough water during the planting season can cripple most crops for the year.

Anticipated cold temperatures in the coming days, with the possibility of frost called for in most areas, shouldn’t damage early crops or buds, Shaw said.

“A little bit of frost right now won’t be a problem,” he said, “but a freeze or heavy frost would be a repeat of last year.”

A cold snap over the Easter holiday last year killed many buds and small plants, adding insult to the injury of the prolonged drought.

Lighter rains are predicted for this weekend.