US government declares drought disaster for US Virgin Islands

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. government has declared a drought disaster in the U.S. Virgin Islands as dry conditions persist.

St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are all experiencing an extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and no relief is in sight.

The declaration announced Thursday will allow farmers and agricultural producers to seek federal emergency loans.

“Our farmers are essential to our food security, our economy and our way of life,” U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said in a statement.

He had requested the federal declaration earlier this month.

“This declaration does not make the drought disappear, but it gives our farmers another tool to withstand its effects,” he said.

The deepening drought also has affected neighboring Puerto Rico, where officials recently implemented water rationing measures for certain neighborhoods in seven cities, including San Juan, the island’s capital.

More than 33% of Puerto Rico is under extreme drought, and another 30% under a severe drought.

Experts blame the lack of rainfall on a natural warming cycle known as El Niño. It is particularly strong this year, leading to an anticipated below-average Atlantic hurricane season.