HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — While Hampton Roads got some much-needed rain Monday, it hasn’t been enough for farmers, including one who says it has been adversely affecting his crops.

Vaughn Farms Produce has been in business in the Pungo community of Virginia Beach since the 1800s, and current owner Robert Vaughn said the drought has been affecting his crops for months.

“We might have had two-tenths of an inch of rain,” Vaughn said. “If you accumulate that on top of the heat, then you’ve got serious problems.”

Running 300 acres of farmland has been an uphill battle for Vaughn and his wife, as their most popular produce — strawberries and soybeans — have been impacted. But he said growing corn and pumpkins has been the greatest challenge.

“It’s no more than four or five feet tall that … tassel, and that’s when it needs the majority of the water and it’s not getting it,” Vaughn said. “There are going to be crop failures down here this year and [it’s] something we haven’t seen in eight or 10 years. It’s been a dust bowl. I don’t dare plant the seed because it’s not going to come up.”

He said the best solution is using irrigations systems, “but against the heat, it’s still not enough hydration for the crops,” he said. “Farming is kind of a gamble. We always laughed at farmers who say it would be less painful just to go to Las Vegas and roll it on on dice or so. But here we go, months and months trying to figure out what Mother Nature is going to give us.”

Despite the heat wearing and tearing on the crops, Vaughn Produce Farms will remain open until late August and then reopen in September for pumpkin season.

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A drought advisory has been declared across Virginia, prompting 95 counties to be in the watch stage and 12 counties in the warning.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force issued these advisories in the afternoon on Monday, June 24 due to precipitation deficits in combination with increased temperatures resulting in rapid intensification of drought throughout the state.

The Shenandoah region was issued a drought warning, including Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page, Warren, and Clarke counties, along with Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington, and Fairfax counties for the Northern Virginia region.

All other counties in the state have been issued a watch advisory.

What are the differences between the advisories?

A drought watch is intended to help Virginians prepare for a potential drought, while a drought warning indicates a significant drought event is imminent — or about to happen.

A drought emergency is required during the height of a very severe or extreme drought event.

How can I help at home?

The Virginia DEQ lists the following responses to each drought stage declaration for those at home to take:

For a drought watch, minimize nonessential water use, review existing local water conservation and drought contingency plans and take conservation actions consistent with those plans,

For a drought warning:

• Minimize nonessential water use, including the elimination of non-essential flushing of water lines
• Begin voluntary water conservation requirements contained in drought water conservation and contingency plans

For a drought emergency, follow guidance about:

• irrigation of lawns, golf courses, and athletic fields;
• washing of paved surfaces such as streets, roads, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts and patios;
• use of water for washing or cleaning mobile equipment, including autos, trucks, trailers, and boats;
• use of water for the operation of ornamental fountains, artificial waterfalls, misting machines, and reflecting pools;
• use of water to fill up and top off outdoor swimming pools; and
• serving water in restaurants, clubs, or eating-places.

The DEQ says it is working with local governments, public water works and those in affected areas to ensure drought response plans and ordinances are followed.

The department is also encouraging all across the state to minimize our water use, monitor drought conditions and detect and repair leaks at this time to help protect water supplies.

This is a developing story. Stick with 8News both on-air and online for updates.

by: Anna Chen, Jeremy Tanner

Posted: Jun 25, 2024 / 01:52 AM EDT

Updated: Jun 25, 2024 / 01:52 AM EDT

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (WDCW) – Virginia authorities said a Goodwill employee recently discovered a 4-foot snake in a box of donated books.

“No snakes, employees, or deputies were harmed during the incident,” the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) said in a news release.

The captain of animal control responded to a Goodwill, located at 72 Doc Stone Road, after a 4-foot-long basilisk was found slithering in a box of donated books.

Stafford Sheriff officials couldn’t resist adding in a Harry Potter reference while explaining what happened to the “Slytherin Suspect.”

“Using his powers of persuasion, and a bit of Parseltongue” the captain was able to capture the snake and release it into the wild again, SCSO said.

It’s not clear how the reptile ended up in the box, but it goes without saying that live snakes are not accepted donations at the Virginia Goodwill, along with flammables, guns, old TVs, mattresses and broken furniture, among other items.