Federal drought disaster declaration unlocks emergency aid for Virgin Islands farmers

A federal disaster declaration was issued for the U.S. Virgin Islands as the U.S. Drought Monitor reports extreme drought conditions on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Governor Albert Bryan Jr. had requested the declaration earlier in the month, emphasizing the role of farmers in the islands' food supply and economy. The declaration allows eligible agricultural producers to seek federal emergency loans, offering a new avenue to cope with the ongoing water shortage.

While the declaration does not halt the drought, it is intended to help farmers mitigate its impacts. The same dry spell has spread to Puerto Rico, where officials have begun water rationing in seven cities, including the capital, San Juan. Experts attribute the lack of rainfall to a strong El Niño cycle, which also forecasts a below-average Atlantic hurricane season.