Drought Advisory Reduced To Stage 2 In New London County

NEW LONDON, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont announced last week that due to recent rainfall, the drought advisory in New London and Windham counties has been lowered from Stage 3 to Stage 2. This change brings all eight of Connecticut’s counties to a Stage 2 drought level.

Lamont made this decision at the recommendation of the Connecticut Interagency Drought Workgroup, a group of several state agency representatives that assesses drought conditions and makes recommendations to the governor on the state’s response.

“While recent rainfall over the past couple of weeks have brought some relief to Connecticut, particularly in New London and Windham counties, we are still seeing precipitation levels that remain slightly below normal,” Lamont said in a statement. “As we enter fall, conditions are looking better than they were this summer, but we still urge everyone to be mindful of their water usage. I am hopeful that in the coming weeks our precipitation levels will be back to normal.”

The Stage 2 drought level is intended as an awareness stage, identifying a moderate drought event that can potentially impact water supplies, agriculture, or natural eco systems. Residents are voluntarily asked to be mindful of their water consumption and take sensible steps to reduce impacts on water use, according to a statement.

As drought conditions began emerging this summer, Lamont declared a Stage 2 drought level for all eight counties on July 14. He then increased New London and Windham counties to Stage 3 on Aug. 18, while all of the remaining counties continued at Stage 2.

The Connecticut Interagency Drought Workgroup plans to meet again in November to evaluate conditions.