Gov. Mike Easley announced on Monday that 59 counties in the state are labeled disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The governor says there have been significant losses of corn, soybeans, hay, pasture and other crops.

Easley says residents need to continue water conservation efforts, especially in western North Carolina, where four counties have returned to the worst drought category.

Go to News14.com's Story Links section to see a list of every county involved.