Ten New York counties, including two in the Finger Lakes region, were upgraded from a drought watch to a drought warning on Wednesday.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation says northern Cayuga County and all of Wayne County are now under the warning, which signals impending or imminent severe drought conditions.
There are four levels of State drought advisories: watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. There are no mandatory State restrictions under a drought watch or warning. A warning declaration is a notice of impending and imminent severe drought conditions and includes increasing public awareness and voluntary water conservation. Public water supply purveyors and industries are urged to continue to implement local drought contingency plans.
The counties under the drought warning are 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.
There is rain in the forecast for many parts of New York State, but the National Weather Service’s forecast suggests a minimal likelihood of significant relief from dry conditions. Despite rain received in certain portions of the state on October 7 through October 8, observed precipitation over the past 90 days remains less than normal across virtually the entire state. Observed precipitation deficits across the state range from two to eight inches. Stream flows and groundwater levels are declining in certain areas.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here.
