Nearly two dozen New York counties have been downgraded from drought warning to drought watch, the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced Wednesday.
Officials now say recent rain and improved levels of streamflow and groundwater has moved 21 counties from warnings to watches. This includes Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, northern Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Warren and Wayne counties.
Many counties across the state were placed in drought warnings in September and October due to a lack of consistent rainfall.
The state DEC says that while observed precipitation over the past 90 days has improved, it remains less than normal across almost all of the state.
“Thankfully, rain is providing communities across the state with some needed relief, resulting in downgrading from warning to watch in the Adirondacks, Southern Tier, and Great Lakes-area counties,” state DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said in a statement. “While recent rainfall improved dry conditions for many counties in New York, drought watch remains in effect for much of the State and New Yorkers are asked to continue water conservation efforts. DEC experts continue to monitor conditions and coordinate closely with the Drought Management Task Force to issue recommendations that help protect our water supplies.”
Officials say forecasts from the National Weather Service suggest that normal or even slightly wet precipitation patterns can be expected over the next month.
Fifty-six counties remain under a drought watch, and residents are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water, as there are no statewide mandatory water use restrictions in place.
The state DEC has online tips on how residents can save water, where residents can also check the latest drought conditions.