Governor Bryan announcing the drought disaster declaration request. Image credit: US Virgin Islands Government House
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. (D) of the United States Virgin Islands formally requested that United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issue a secretarial drought disaster declaration for St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, as extreme drought conditions continue to strain the territory’s agricultural community.
The entire US Virgin Islands is currently classified under Extreme Drought (D3) by the US Drought Monitor—the second-highest drought category. NOAA’s seasonal outlook, valid through October 31, projects drought conditions to persist across the US Virgin Islands, with forecast models indicating a greater than 70% likelihood of below-normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures from August through October 2026.
The prolonged dry conditions are placing significant strain on the territory’s agricultural community, particularly livestock producers. A federal drought disaster declaration would help eligible Virgin Islands livestock producers qualify for assistance through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program and provide access to additional federal disaster support.
“Drought conditions across our Territory are serious, and our farmers, particularly our livestock producers, are feeling the effects,” Bryan said. “A federal disaster declaration would provide critical assistance to those who are being impacted.”
Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency Director Daryl Jaschen reported that a burn ban remains in effect for St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island. Analysts have warned that the drought, expected to continue for at least several months, could have broader economic impacts for the territory.
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