New York City is no longer under a drought warning following several days of rain and other favorable conditions, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday.
The drought warning, which had been in place since November 18, lasted nearly a month as the city’s water management team worked to improve reservoir levels within its extensive watershed.
“We are in a much better situation than a few weeks ago, which allows us to downgrade our drought warning to a drought watch,” Mayor Adams stated. “If conditions continue to improve, we hope to lift the watch in the coming weeks.”
In December, the city received 1 to 3 inches of rain, with more rainfall accumulating in surrounding areas. While Tuesday was expected to remain dry, additional rain was forecasted for Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening.
Reservoir levels also benefitted from upstate snowmelt, as well as the temporary halt to the extensive repair work on the Delaware Aqueduct.
Officials explained that the project continued into the fall and winter based on earlier expectations of above-average rainfall. However, October turned out to be the driest month in the city’s history.
“This serves as a reminder of the kind of world climate change is creating: a world with more extreme weather events and more dangerous consequences,” Mayor Adams remarked.
This year’s drought warning was the city’s first since 2002, coming amidst hundreds of brush fires across the five boroughs, including a blaze in Prospect Park. The drought watch, which was issued on November 2, remains in effect.
