PUERTO RICO — The U.S. government announced a drought disaster for 26 municipalities in Puerto Rico on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. The declaration allows farmers and agricultural producers in the designated regions to access emergency loans.

The disaster declaration covers 26 of Puerto Rico’s 78 municipalities, including Cabo Rojo, Ponce, Yauco, Aibonito, and Lares. Governor Jenniffer González formally requested the drought disaster declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture more than two weeks prior to the announcement.

"From the very beginning, we made clear the needs of our farmers," González said. Puerto Rico Agriculture Secretary Irving Rodríguez described the federal action as a necessary measure for the island's agricultural sector. "This is an important step," Rodríguez said.

Rodriguez advised local producers to maintain detailed records to facilitate the loan application process. "We urge all producers affected by the drought to document their losses," he said. Persistent dry conditions forced many farmers to halt production as early as May, leading to financial losses that have accumulated over several months.

Farmers working in hydroponics and growing vegetables in soil are among the most affected by the drought. Fruit crops, including coffee, cacao, plantains, and bananas, have fallen green from trees due to lack of water. Livestock breeders have been unable to feed their animals due to the drought, creating further economic strain on rural operations.

Livestock breeders attempted to sell young bulls at low prices but found no buyers due to the ongoing drought. Farmers have been losing money since May as these conditions persisted without relief. More than 33% of Puerto Rico is under extreme drought and another 30% is under severe drought, according to monitoring data.

Meteorologists attribute the ongoing drought to El Niño, a natural warming cycle that has also affected the U.S. Virgin Islands. July was the driest month on record for San Juan in more than 120 years and the second hottest for the city. The U.S. government declared a drought disaster earlier in August for St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Governor Jenniffer González declared a state of emergency in late July due to persistent dry conditions. The National Guard was activated to transport, distribute, and purify water to assist communities facing shortages. Water rationing measures were announced in early August for certain neighborhoods in San Juan and six other cities.

More than 180,000 customers are without water for 48 hours at a time as part of a rotating schedule. Large trucks are distributing water in affected areas, with priority given to hospitals and residences for older people. Thousands of Puerto Ricans experienced water shortages and pressure changes for up to a year prior to the drought declaration.

Governor Jenniffer González acknowledged that the Water and Sewer Authority’s infrastructure has lacked investment and maintenance for decades. Puerto Rico implemented water rationing measures in 2020 and 2015, indicating a pattern of recurring water supply challenges. The current crisis extends beyond agriculture, affecting residential water access across multiple urban centers.

Why It Matters

The designation unlocks federal emergency loans for agricultural producers who have faced months of lost revenue and crop failure. With more than a third of the island under extreme drought, the financial support addresses immediate losses for farmers growing vegetables, fruit, and livestock. The declaration follows a formal request from the governor and aligns with similar federal actions taken in the U.S. Virgin Islands due to the same climatic patterns.

Water scarcity has impacted over 180,000 residents through rotating outages, requiring National Guard assistance for distribution and purification. The situation shows long-standing infrastructure deficits within the Water and Sewer Authority that have persisted for decades. Historical rationing in 2015 and 2020 demonstrates that such disruptions are not isolated events, while the current El Niño cycle projects continued precipitation deficits.

Timeline

Persistent dry conditions forced many farmers to halt production as early as May, and farmers have been losing money since May. On July 23, 2026, a Drought Update for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands noted that a strengthening El Niño event is projected to reduce the frequency of tropical waves and cyclones, which will likely exacerbate precipitation deficits and lead to persistent or worsening drought conditions across the region. Governor Jenniffer González declared a state of emergency in late July due to persistent dry conditions, and July was the driest month on record for San Juan in more than 120 years and the second hottest for the city.

What's New

A study titled "A multidimensional framework for disaster recovery: Longitudinal qualitative evidence from Puerto Rican households" was published in 2021 in World Development. Jenniffer González is Puerto Rican politician (born 1976).