Maine's drought is getting worse, and isn't expected to get better soon

MAINE PUBLIC • September 7, 2026

Drought is expanding in Maine and raising concerns about a second straight year of harm to agriculture, water supplies and increased wildfire risk. Paul Styslinger, Natural Hazards Planner at the Maine Emergency Management Agency says dozens of people have reported dry wells as conditions get worse across the state. "Just like last year, it is dry in Maine and it's getting drier," Styslinger said. Parts of Maine have had at least 12 inches less rain than normal over the past year. Nick Stasulis, a supervisory physical scientist a with the U.S. Geological Survey said co-chair of the Maine Drought Task Force, said groundwater levels are also at far below normal levels.