POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 26, 2026Miami-Dade

U.S. Department of Agriculture declares drought disaster for 26 Puerto Rico municipalities

The U.S. government has declared a drought disaster for 26 municipalities in Puerto Rico, granting farmers and agricultural producers in those areas access to emergency federal loans. This declaration follows record-breaking dry conditions and heat that have severely impacted crop production and livestock across the territory.

droughtagriculturedisaster reliefwater infrastructurePuerto Rico
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Why It Matters

The disaster declaration provides a financial lifeline for farmers in 26 affected municipalities to apply for emergency loans to offset losses caused by the ongoing drought.

Key Facts

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture declared a drought disaster for 26 of Puerto Rico's 78 municipalities.
  • The declaration allows farmers and agricultural producers in the affected regions to access emergency federal loans.
  • More than 33% of Puerto Rico is currently experiencing extreme drought, with an additional 30% under severe drought.
  • July was the driest month on record for San Juan in over 120 years.
  • Water rationing is currently in effect for more than 180,000 customers in San Juan and six other cities, with 48-hour service interruptions.
  • The Puerto Rico governor activated the National Guard to transport, distribute, and purify water.
  • Farmers have reported significant losses since May, including shriveled crops and livestock that cannot be fed or sold.
  • The municipality of Lajas reduced irrigation water supply to farms from three times a week to once a week in June.
  • The U.S. government also declared a drought disaster for St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix earlier this month.

Who's Mentioned

organizationRAFI“Nonprofit organization serving small- to midscale farmers.”personIrving Rodríguez“Puerto Rico Agriculture Secretary.”organizationWater and Sewer Authority“Puerto Rican utility agency currently facing a lawsuit regarding infrastructure.”personMiguel Romero“Mayor of San Juan.”organizationU.S. Department of Agriculture“Federal agency that issued the disaster declaration.”personFello Pérez“Technical assistance provider for RAFI.”personNaia Seda“Local farmer in Lajas, Puerto Rico.”personJenniffer González“Governor of Puerto Rico who requested the disaster declaration.”