Governor McKee Issues Statewide Drought Advisory
 

PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Dan McKee issued a statewide drought advisory today, as recommended by the state’s Drought Steering Committee comprised of key stakeholders on the federal, state, and local levels. A statewide drought advisory is recommended after analyzing several scientific drought indices and is one of four progressive drought declarations: 1) advisory, 2) watch, 3) warning, and 4) emergency.

 

“The projected rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1 inches of new precipitation for RI tonight into tomorrow, though helpful, will not be enough to make up for the severe precipitation deficits from October”, said meteorologist Robert Megnia, Senior Service Hydrologist, NOAA National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office Boston/Norton, MA.

 

The Drought Steering Committee determined that three indices – precipitation, groundwater, and stream flow levels – met the drought advisory criteria in northern Rhode Island. Dry conditions in the northwest drought region, declining stream flows and groundwater levels in the remaining drought regions across the state, and the probability that dry conditions would return in early December informed the committee’s recommendation. 

 

“While our water supply is designed to withstand drought, Rhode Islanders should be aware of the current conditions,” said Governor Dan McKee. “As a precaution, I encourage residents and businesses to consider taking water conservation measures to help sustain our water resources.”

 

Residents and businesses can voluntarily conserve water by:

 

·     Fixing any leaky faucets and pipes. 

·     Selecting appropriate washing machine and dishwasher load sizes to conserve water. 

·     Heeding fire danger warnings.  

·     For more ways to save water see EPA’s 100+ Water-Saving Tips.

 

While conservation measures are not required statewide in Rhode Island, individual municipalities may have water restrictions in place. Residents are advised to check with their water supplier for further guidance. 

 

Given the drought advisory, Governor McKee has also asked Rhode Island’s Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to continue to ensure that all piping systems remain leak-free. 

 

The Drought Steering Committee will reconvene in early January 2025 to re-evaluate Rhode Island’s water conditions. Consistent with the State’s Drought Plan, “Water 2030,” a Drought Advisory level continues until sufficient precipitation (three consecutive months of normal/near normal precipitation) and groundwater recovery (two months of normal groundwater levels) warrant lifting the advisory and declaring a return to normal status.

 

A list of major water suppliers to Rhode Island can be found on the Water Resources Board website at http://www.wrb.ri.gov/data_watersuppliers.html.
 
 
A key report shows wholesale inflation slowed last month. The July Producer Price Index shows a rise of zero-point-one percent. The PPI measures prices that businesses receive for goods and services. Economists had been expecting a slightly higher increase, according to a survey by the Wall Street Journal.        Over one-point-three million people tuned into Elon Musk's conversation with former President Trump on X last night. Some technical issues delayed the conversation, but the pair still spoke for over two hours. They discussed the attempted assassination of Trump in Pennsylvania, immigration, Russian President Vladimir Putin, the threat of global warming, and more.        Voters are heading to the polls for primary elections in Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, and Wisconsin today. In Minnesota, progressive Congresswoman Ilhan Omar will defend her seat against former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels. The contest comes after two other members of the so-called progressive "Squad," Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, lost their Democratic primaries this cycle.        Tropical Storm Ernesto isn't expected to hit the U.S. mainland as it heads up the Atlantic Ocean. Current forecasts show the storm will bring heavy rain and flooding to Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands today. The National Hurricane Center says Ernesto will then head northward and into the Atlantic.        A former Colorado clerk is facing up to 22 years in prison for election tampering. Tina Peters was convicted yesterday and will be sentenced in October. Prosecutors argued she let an unauthorized person access Mesa County's voting equipment in 2021 and make a copy of hard drives, as well as pictures of passwords, and then tried to cover it up.        U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles will not have her appeal heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. On Sunday, the International Olympic Committee said it would take away her bronze medal because of a scoring error. Monday, USA Gymnastics said in a statement that it was notified that CAS rules don't allow for an arbitral award to be reconsidered.        

Old News Archives