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State Issues Drought Warning From CNY to Buffalo

twitter@nysdec

Onondaga and Oswego counties are among 20 others to fall under a newly issued drought warning by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.   Governor Cuomo says in a release that recent rains helped to reduce the severity of drought conditions to the east.  But much of the state from Onondaga county westward didn’t receive enough rain.

The following counties are under the drought warning:  Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Jefferson, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Seneca, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in a release, “While there are no mandated water use restrictions in place we do encourage the public to do their part to conserve water by taking some fairly simple steps.  Minor changes in everyday practices can go a long way in helping to prevent any increased drought levels.”

A drought warning is the second of four drought advisory levels.  If conditions worsen, a drought emergency or disaster would be issued.  

The rest of the state remains under a drought watch.  

Scott Willis covers politics, local government, transportation, and arts and culture for WAER. He came to Syracuse from Detroit in 2001, where he began his career in radio as an intern and freelance reporter. Scott is honored and privileged to bring the day’s news and in-depth feature reporting to WAER’s dedicated and generous listeners. You can find him on twitter @swillisWAER and email him at srwillis@syr.edu.