DROUGHT WATCH ISSUED FOR SIX NEW JERSEY COUNTIES

In spite of recent heavy rainfalls, the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection has issued a drought watch for six New Jersey counties, including Salem and Ocean Counties. The DEP says that rainfall amounts in Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland Counties is near or above normal, but shallow ground water is considered severely dry and stream flow moderately dry. A drought warning could be coming to several North Jersey counties, to facilitate the transfer of water between reservoirs.