PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 2, 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated seven Maine counties as natural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought, unlocking relief for farmers, businesses and nonprofits throughout most of the state. The primary counties designated as natural disaster areas by the USDA last week are Cumberland, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and Waldo. The USDA also declared Maine’s drought a natural disaster last year, unlocking similar forms of relief.