The Rochester region has been designated a natural disaster area by the federal government because of the summer drought.
Governor Cuomo’s office says that means farmers in 24 Upstate counties may be eligible for assistance with financial losses caused by the drought. The State Agriculture Commissioner says lawmakers and farm group leaders will make joint on-site assessments of crop losses from the drought. The state says it’s working with Cornell University hydrologists and climate experts on the outlook for recovery.
The declaration covers Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Central New York and most of the Southern Tier.