NY declares drought warning as historic rain shortage continues

Facing a historic shortage of rainfall, state officials elevated New York City's five boroughs and 10 other counties to a drought warning. They also declared a drought watch for the remainder of the state.

The move will require state and municipal agencies to implement water-saving measures, but it will not impose water use restrictions on the public.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced the update in a joint press release.

The drought warning is New York City's first in 22 years. It is one step before a drought emergency, which would force New Yorkers to conserve water through sanctions and fines. A drought watch, now in place for the remainder of the state, is the first water conservation declaration that comes during prolonged dry periods. New York City had already been under a drought watch since Nov. 2.

Adams also on Monday ordered the city to cancel a repair project of the Delaware aqueduct in the Catskills so that officials could reopen the tunnel and allow the much-needed water supply to reach city residents.

The city’s reservoirs are currently at about 60% capacity, well below the 79% level considered normal around this time of year, according to city officials.

“I want to be clear on this: This is not normal,” the mayor said during a press conference at the city’s emergency management headquarters. “I'm pretty sure if you are outside, you may be enjoying the beautiful weather in November. But the reality is, climate change is real and it's impacting our city.”

The news comes as the FDNY announced it was launching its first-ever Brush Fire Task Force to address the surge in brush fires fueled by historically dry conditions.

New Yorkers are being urged to monitor their water use. Official recommendations include taking shorter showers, repairing leaky faucets and toilets, avoiding unnecessary toilet flushing and reporting running fire hydrants to 311.

The MTA has announced it will reduce washing of its trains, buses, bridges and tunnels in order to conserve water.

In the past month and a half, New York City has seen the lowest level of rainfall in any recorded six-week period, according to city officials. The exceptionally dry conditions have led to increased brush fires, with more than 300 brush fires this month, according to city fire officials.

On Sunday, New York officials announced a voluntary evacuation order for residents along the New Jersey border because of a fire in a 5,000-acre area known as Jennings Creek.

New York has banned outdoor fires and discouraged outdoor grilling. Last week, Adams announced a ban on grilling in public parks.

Rain is expected to fall later this week, but officials said it would not be enough to end the drought.

While officials said they were hoping for a lot more rain, too much of it at once could do more harm than good.

“We don’t want Hurricane Ida. Let’s be clear on that,” Adams said. “But we need a lot of rain.”