U.S. Drought Monitor

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.

Despite the rainy days in October and November, Maine didn't get enough precipitation to make up for an abnormally dry summer.

Producers say a wet spring and dry, hot summer cost the industries millions of dollars in lost crops.

Hundreds of homeowners report dried up wells as drought worsens.

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

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

About 90% of the state's population is living in areas of moderate drought according to the newest federal monitoring.

The U.S. drought monitor found virtually no change in drought conditions from last week to the week before.

The National Weather Service says parts of Maine are experiencing one of the driest falls on record.

Moderate drought conditions linger in parts of Southern Maine. And an area of "severe drought" remains along the coast from about Portland to Penobscot Bay.