(GDN) — Dry conditions persist across North Carolina despite recent rains.  According to the latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor released on Thursday, Wayne County is included in a band of the state that is in “Severe Drought.”  That driest area of North Carolina stretches from the northeast to south-central area of the state.  The remainder of the state is either listed in “Moderate Drought” or Abnormally Dry.”