NEW YORK - New York City is now under a drought warning, officials announced Monday.
The last time the city issued a drought warning was more than 20 years ago, in 2002.
New York City isn't alone in being under a drought warning. Ten nearby Hudson Valley counties are also under one, as of Monday: Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.
Last week, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a drought warning throughout the Garden State. It comes as the region copes with an historic streak without significant rainfall.
A drought warning is the second of three tiers of drought response in New York City. Those levels include drought watch, warning, and emergency.
A drought watch is the first of three levels of city water conservation declarations. Mayor Eric Adams announced the city was in a drought watch back on November 2. Under the drought watch, city agencies began preparations for water conservation. Under the drought watch, New Yorkers were also encouraged to do their part to help conserve water.
Some tips from the Department of Environmental Conservation include:
Officials escalated the city from a drought watch to warning on Monday.
A drought warning is the second level of the city's water conservation response. When a drought warning is implemented, city agencies start altering their behavior in order to conserve water. Some of the measures include:
As part of the warning, Adams also announced a pause on the city's $2 billion Delaware Aqueduct Repair project.
The third and highest level of citywide drought response is a drought emergency. Under a drought emergency, the city will implement and enforce water shortage rules, meaning use of water can be directed, and restricted.
So what would a drought emergency mean for New York City residents?
The last time New York City declared a drought emergency was in 2002.
The declaration of the drought warning comes as reservoirs that supply the city with water are now at 60% capacity. They would typically be at 79% capacity at this time of year.
The longest recorded period without rain took place in 1924, and last 36 days.