Drought warnings have expanded in New York state.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that 12 more counties are under drought watches or warnings on Wednesday. They include Steuben, Cortland, Chemung, Broome and Tioga counties.
Officials say less-than-normal amounts of rain have led to the situation.
All residents are urged to conserve water, including people with private groundwater wells. A warning declaration means impending and imminent severe drought conditions. The state wants people to act now to avoid things getting worse.
Officials say some ways to reduce water consumption include watering lawns only when necessary and watering in the early morning to reduce evaporation, washing only full loads of dishes and laundry and taking shorter showers or only partly filling the bathtub.
Almost all of New York state is now under a drought watch or warning conditions. The only areas not affected are Westchester County and New York City.