By The Associated Press

Portions of southeastern North Carolina are being listed as abnormally dry, and a water shortage emergency has been posted for one county in the area.

Pender County Utilities issued the emergency for the Hampstead and Scott's Hill areas until further notice. A news release says available water in the two towns is at reduced levels, which could result in low system pressures and loss of service. Residents are banned from all non-essential causes of drinking water, and garden and landscape irrigation must be reduced to the minimum necessary.

In Brunswick County, public utilities officials issued a statement asking customers to use water wisely, citing dry conditions and the increase in tourism during the Memorial Day weekend. The county will be considering instituting water conservation measures on Tuesday.