US Declares Drought Disaster for Parts of Puerto Rico as Dry Conditions Persist
The declaration lets farmers access emergency loans as more than 33% of the island remains under extreme drought, officials said.
- The Department of Agriculture declared a drought disaster on Wednesday for 26 of Puerto Rico's 78 municipalities, following a request from Gov. Jenniffer González to help struggling agricultural producers.
- Meteorologists attribute the persistent dry conditions to natural warming cycles; July was the driest month on record for San Juan in more than 120 years, with more than 33% of the island under extreme drought.
- Fello, a technical assistance provider for RAFI, reported farmers halted production as early as May, while livestock breeders sold young bulls at rock-bottom prices as animals lacked feed and fruit dropped green from trees.
- Gov. Jenniffer González declared a state of emergency in late July, activating the National Guard to transport and purify water for more than 180,000 customers facing 48-hour service interruptions.
- The disaster declaration allows agricultural producers in affected regions to access emergency loans, though officials warn there is currently no relief in sight for the Agriculture sector.
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Associated Press News
US declares drought disaster for parts of Puerto Rico as dry conditions persist
The U.S. government has announced a drought disaster for more than two dozen cities and towns in Puerto Rico as water woes deepen across the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, declared a drought disaster in 26 municipalities in Puerto Rico, a determination that opens up access to emergency loans and other federal assistance programs for affected farmers and agricultural producers,...
The USDA action designates 26 municipalities and facilitates access for eligible farmers to federal assistance programs.
U.S. declares drought disaster for parts of Puerto Rico as dry conditions persist
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The U.S. government announced a drought disaster on Wednesday for more than two dozen cities and towns in Puerto Rico as water woes deepen across the U.S. territory, with no relief in sight.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a Declaration of Drought Disaster for 26 municipalities, reported today Gov. Jenniffer González Colón. The formal request was filed on August 10 with the Federal Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, to activate the Fast-Track mechanism for municipalities meeting federal criteria. The application was worked with the support of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) as part of th…
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