Drought warning for first time in 22 years in New York as city grapples with water crisis

New York City has declared a drought warning for the first time in 22 years, following a severe lack of rainfall and a series of wildfires across the Northeast this autumn. The city’s longest recorded rain-free streak has prompted Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to extend the drought warning initially issued on November 2.

“It’s hard to believe that we would be talking about wildfires and drought in New York City,” Mayor Adams told NBC News. “Our reservoirs are not where they should be, and our cities and watersheds are experiencing severe rainfall deficits.”

Officials said New York City’s water supply needed about eight inches of rain to return to normal levels.

The drought warning comes as the city’s water supply has been significantly impacted by the drought. As of now, New York City’s reservoirs are at 60.1 percent of their capacity, well below the normal 79 percent for this time of year, according to a report by NBC News. “Over the last 10 weeks, we’ve had 8.23 ​​inches less rainfall than the average year,” Rohit Aggarwal, commissioner of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, told NBC News. “This drought has come fast, it has come furiously, and that’s why the last six weeks have been the driest on record,” Mr Agarwal said.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said she was “declaring a statewide drought due to the historic lack of rainfall.”

Drought alerts are the second phase of New York City’s water conservation system, after drought monitoring. If conditions worsen, the city could enter a state of drought emergency and impose strict water conservation measures, including restrictions on its use, higher rates and limits on restaurant water service and decorative fountains.

The drought warning comes as the region grapples with multiple bushfires, which have been made worse by dry conditions and high winds. New York City has seen a record 271 brush fires in the first two weeks of November.

But there is hope. Forecasters have predicted rain this weekend, though it is unlikely to significantly ease the drought. The National Weather Service in New York said, “Not a drought buster, but it will help, especially with the ongoing fire season issues.”

City agencies are taking water conservation measures as long as drought conditions persist. These steps include repairing leaks in city facilities, halting street flushing operations and limiting the amount of time trains and buses can be washed. Additionally, Mayor Adams has asked New York residents to voluntarily save water by fixing leaky faucets and taking shorter showers.