California Governor Jerry Brown is declaring a State of Emergency for the state's drought situation, according to a press release. As California faces the driest year in recorded history, state officials are being directed to take actions to prepare for drought conditions.
"We are in an unprecedented, very serious situation," Brown said during a press conference.
State officials say that California's rivers and reservoirs are at record lows, and the observed snowpack water content is at around 20% of its normal average for this time of year.
“We can’t make it rain, but we can be much better prepared for the terrible consequences that California’s drought now threatens, including dramatically less water for our farms and communities and increased fires in both urban and rural areas,” said Governor Brown. “I’ve declared this emergency and I’m calling all Californians to conserve water in every way possible.”
In the State of Emergency declaration, state officials were directed to help farmers and communities who are economically impacted by dry conditions. Also, preparations are being made to maintain a steady supply of drinking water for the entire state. More firefighters are being hired, with fire danger at an extreme level. An expanded water conservation campaign is being implemented as well. The administration has asked for Californians to reduce their water consumption by 20%, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
In December, the Governor formed a Drought Task Force to review expected water allocations and California's preparedness for water scarcity and whether or not a drought declaration was warranted.
Scientists at the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center in Maryland issued a 90-day precipitation outlook which indicates that it is likely that California will continue to receive below-normal rainfall at least through April.
Will drought conditions devastate California's production this year? We hope not... Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow this developing story.
Drought Declaration
National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center
San Jose Mercury News
