NEW YORK — It’s raining for the first time in weeks today in New York City, but it won’t be enough to end it drought warning from the city.
While Thursday’s weather is certainly a welcome change for the entire Tri-State area; abnormally dry conditions before the storm forced the city to issue its first drought warning in more than two decades.
Long drought leads to wildfires in NYC
Mayor Eric Adams announced restrictions in an attempt to prevent more forest fires from occurring of breaking out. From November 1 to 14, the FDNY says it responded to 271 wildfires – the most ever in a two-week period.
For the first time, the fire brigade launched one Brush Fire Task Forceconsisting of fire chiefs, inspectors and tactical drone units to ensure rapid responses to the fires and investigations into how they started.
Under the restrictions announced by the mayor, the city suspended the issuance of permits for fireworks or open flames anywhere in the five boroughs.
Adams also urged city residents to conserve water wherever possible.
The National Weather Service’s New York office said Thursday’s rainfall will not be enough to fully replenish water supplies the city’s reservoirswhich some reports show are at around 60% capacity, compared to the usual 79%.
