Despite substantial rainfall over several days in late September, Maine drought conditions remain unchanged as of Thursday.

Sustained rainfall from a major nor’easter storm failed to alleviate extreme drought along the southern Maine coastal area, which stretched from Portland to Bar Harbor.

Extreme drought is the second highest level for drought listed by the U.S. Drought
Monitor.

The entire state of Maine continues to be under at least moderate drought.

Among the condition present during extreme drought are extremely reduced water flow, warmer river temperatures and wells running dry, with people are digging more and deeper wells

More than 1.3 million Mainers now live in drought areas.

Maine experienced its most damaging drought between 1999 and 2002, during which an estimated 17,000 private wells ran dry, and farmers lost more than $32 million in crop yield.
More recently, Maine experienced significant droughts in both 2016 and 2020-2022, with widespread impacts to water supply, agriculture, and recreation.