Drought Task Force

As many towns are aware, Vermont is currently experiencing widespread drought conditions and as a result VEM Director Forand has activated the State EOC to enhanced operations and a multi-agency Drought Task Force has been established to help provide coordination and support. The Agency of Natural Resources has created a drought resources page: Drought Resources | Agency of Natural Resources (https://anr.vermont.gov/disaster/drought) which provides information about conditions, water haulers, and a place to share impacts to individuals, water systems, and agricultural businesses. We are encouraging the reporting of any issues so that the state has situational awareness of impacts. 

The National Weather Services is not forecasting any significant rainfall in the short term so conditions are expected to persist at least into next week. There is some indication that we may see some rainfall in the middle of next week but probably not enough to make any significant dent in the overall drought. On top of drought conditions, we continue to deal with high wildfire danger. Those conditions will also likely persist until we get some soaking rainfall.  You can find information on wildfire conditions here: Monitoring Fire Danger | Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (https://fpr.vermont.gov/forest/wildland-fire/monitoring-fire-danger). 

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. If you need emergency assistance, our Watch Officer can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-347-0488. Just as a side note, that number goes to a VSP answering point after business hours and they may answer as the Hazmat Line, or Spill Line, just let them know you’re calling for the watch officer. 

Zachary Borst | Regional Coordinator – Orleans, Essex, Caledonia
Vermont Emergency Management