drought

Maine farmers can now apply for emergency loans from The United States Department of Agriculture. Maine has been gripped by an increasingly severe drought since August. And despite some late fall rain, the lack of water during the growing season has affected farmers' livelihoods.

Hundreds of homeowners report dried up wells as drought worsens.

Jason Lilley, a maple industry educator with the UMaine Cooperative Extension, says the fact that maple trees are dropping their leaves a week early indicates they are stressed, and stress is bad for sugar production.

Poland Spring said since the beginning of September, it "significantly" reduced water withdrawals from Clear Spring in Hollis and has cut back water usage at the Evergreen Spring in Fryeburg.

Some government websites are not being updated to include information about drought relief programs.

The National Weather Service says Maine needs far above normal autumn rainfall to overcome severe dry conditions gripping the state.

When surface water becomes scarce, it becomes harder and harder for it to move underground and replenish groundwater aquafers and wells.

Parts of western and central Maine, which include Rumford, Lewiston and Augusta, have been placed in extreme drought status.

While some parts of Maine saw rain over the weekend, drought conditions are still in effect. They're affecting all types of crops — from apples to potatoes to wild blueberries. But the biggest challenge may be for farmers who grow hay to feed their livestock.

Industry officials say a wet spring followed by prolonged drought has made it a difficult year for honeybees and other pollinators.