Baker Elevates State Drought Response

Post-Tropical Storm Hermine was within relative shouting distance of Massachusetts earlier in the week. And still, the state is mired in one of its most extreme droughts on record.

Gov. Charlie Baker responded Thursday morning by announcing the launch of a Drought Emergency Fund that will help family farms and small businesses who have been financially throttled by the drought. The fund is part of a number of actions outlined by Baker in response to the prolonged drought.

“Our new Massachusetts Drought Emergency Loan Fund will provide affordable working capital loans to small businesses, including family farms, grappling with a downturn in business caused by this prolonged drought," said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash in a release. “Additionally, we are activating all of our business development channels, to remind consumers that Massachusetts farmers markets and farm stands still have top-quality produce for sale, and they have our full support.”

The US Drought Monitor says the prolonged drought was barely impacted by the storm just off the coast. In fact, the drought designation was even slightly expanded and upgraded in some parts. Nearly a quarter of the state is in an extreme drought, and more than half is in a severe drought.

The next two days are expected to provide minimal precipitation.

The Drought Management Task Force was set to meet Thursday morning to discuss the situation. A large number of towns have already issued voluntary or mandatory water restrictions.

For what it's worth, September and October are expected to see significant rainfall.

Meanwhile, Friday is expected to bring back temperatures of up to 90 degrees — perhaps for the final time this year — in parts of Massachusetts. The Boston area and North Shore are expected to hit the low 90s, while the Cape and Central Mass should come close.