Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
The share of the United States and Puerto Rico in drought grew by 12.2 percentage points over the past month, reaching 49.77% as of September 15, 2026 (59.37% across the Lower 48 states); the affected population grew 11.2% over the same period, to 103.5 million people, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
>70% is the probability of much below-normal precipitation across the northeastern Caribbean from September through November 2026, according to the North American Multi-Model Ensemble.
As of September 1, 2026, 49.51% of the United States and Puerto Rico was in drought (59.05% across the Lower 48 states), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Drought conditions worsened that week across the south-central United States and along the North Dakota-South Dakota-Minnesota border area.
47.56% of the United States and Puerto Rico was in drought as of August 25, 2026.
Less than 20% of normal precipitation fell across southern and southwestern Puerto Rico during the 60 days preceding July 21, 2026, representing deficits of 3 to 6 inches. Most of the island received less than 60% of normal rainfall.
Three days per week was the water-rationing schedule for farmers in Puerto Rico's Southwest District in July 2026. Irrigation flow in Juana Díaz was reduced by approximately 5%, while streams in Patillas supplied only 25% of their normal flow.
USD 93 billion cost the sub-regional Caribbean the 2017 hurricane season, including USD 13 billion for Cuba and USD 68 billion for Puerto Rico (ECLAC, 2024).
