New York officials announced Wednesday that 10 more New York counties were upgraded from a drought watch to a drought warning, and called on residents to reduce their water use whenever possible.
A drought watch or warning now covers the entire state except for New York City and Westchester County. The counties under the drought warning include Allegany, Cattaraugus, northern Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Jefferson, northern Herkimer, Lewis, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, Steuben, St. Lawrence, Warren and Wayne.
A statewide burn ban in also in effect, through Oct. 15.
“It’s important that we keep taking proactive steps to keep communities and farmers safe. Once again, we urge everyone in the state to do what they can to conserve water while this dry weather continues,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
The Oct. 2 map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows drought conditions worsening through the parched Northeast, with Monroe, Orleans, Genesee and Wayne counties in a severe drought. Nearly all of New York state was at least rated exceptionally dry.
What is a drought warning?
In New York, a drought warning represents the second stage of drought advisories, giving notice of impending and imminent drought conditions. While there are no mandated statewide water use restrictions under a drought watch or warning, the public is encouraged to voluntarily conserve water.
Water conservation tips from the state include:
Steve Howe reports on weather, climate and the Great Lakes for the Democrat and Chronicle. An RIT graduate, he has covered myriad topics over the years, including public safety, local government, national politics and economic development in New York and Utah.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Drought warning expands into more New York counties. See where
Reporting by Steve Howe, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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