State adds 30 counties to drought watch including most of Central NY

Albany, N.Y. — New York state expanded its drought watch list Wednesday, adding 30 counties including more from Central New York.

Onondaga, Oneida and southern Cayuga counties were added to the list. Northern Cayuga County was already on the list. Only Cortland and Madison are not on the list in this region.

The state now has 50 of its 62 counties on the watch list, according to state officials. Many major cities across the state are effected including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany.

The state urges residents in counties on the list to conserve water whenever possible. There is no specific restriction on water use at this time.

On Aug. 29, the state put 20 counties on the drought watch .

Officials said those dependent on private wells ought to be particularly careful.

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