Due to ongoing drought, 10 counties in the middle of New York City and the Hudson River Valley have upgraded from a “drought watch” to a “drought warning.” The entire state has entered a “drought watch,” with Governor Hochu and Mayor Adams urging people to continue conserving water.
Governor Hochu issued a drought warning on November 18 for the five boroughs of New York City and the ten counties in the middle of the Hudson River Valley, while declaring a drought watch for other areas of the state. The drought alerts in the state are categorized into four levels: drought watch, drought warning, drought emergency, and drought disaster. In New York City, the levels are limited to drought watch, warning, and emergency. While voluntary water conservation measures are still in place, city agencies have begun reducing fleet and building cleaning, conducting leak surveys and repairs on municipal buildings, closing illegally opened fire hydrants, and restricting water use for fountains and golf courses.
On the same day, Adams provided several water conservation measures for the public on X platform: turning off taps when not in use, starting dishwashers and washing machines only when full, shortening shower times, and reducing watering of yards. For more water saving tips, residents can visit the city’s website: nyc.gov/savewater.
The New York City Emergency Management Agency (NYCEM) reported that from September 30 to November 17, Central Park recorded only 0.19 inches of rainfall, making it the driest seven-week period since 1869, surpassing the previous record of 0.27 inches set in the fall of 2017. Weather forecasts indicate that Thursday (the 21st) is expected to bring more significant rainfall, with most areas receiving between half an inch to one inch of precipitation, and the Hudson River Valley possibly seeing up to 2 inches.