Drought Warnings Remain after 7th Month of Below-Normal Rain

COURTESY OF THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts remains firmly in the grip of drought conditions despite recent rains.

Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton says September was the seventh straight month with below average rainfall amounts.

He says water and soil moisture levels continue to decline, causing a major impact on agriculture and wildlife habitats, and increasing the risk of fire.

State emergency management officials are renewing their plea to residents to conserve water by reducing both indoor and outdoor water usage.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the majority of Cape Cod and the Islands are in severe drought with areas of Bourne and Sandwich and all of Plymouth County in extreme drought.