Bits and pieces

Posted By: Staff August 30, 2022

Drought situation continues

Current conditions for Hartford County indicate that 100 percent of people in Hartford county, which includes Bristol, is affected by severe drought conditions.

Statistics from Drought.gov say that this July is the 16th driest July on record over the past 128 years about 1.69 inches from normal, and 2022 is the 26th driest year to date of the past 128 years (January thru July 2022), about 3.66 inches from normal.

Through last Thursday, 100 percent of Harford County is experiencing 100 percent is experiencing severe drought conditions.

Bristol falls within the severe drought category as indicated from the Drought.gov website.

Under abnormally dry conditions crop include the following:

  • crop growth is stunted; planting is delayed
  • fire danger is elevated
  • lawns brown early; gardens begin to wilt.

In a moderate drought,

  • irrigation use increases; hay and grain yields are lower than normal
  • honey production declines
  • wildfires and ground fires increase.

Severe drought involves the following:

  • specialty crops are impacted both in yield and fruit size
  • producers begin feeding cattle; hay prices are high
  • warnings are issued on outdoor burns; air quality is poor.

COVID updates for the past 7 days

Bristol has experienced a rise in positivity rate from to 8.6 to 8.7 percent over the past seven days. The city remains in the red category with over 15 cases per 100,000 people.

The CDC recommends that people at high risk for severe illness, talk to their healthcare provider about whether to need to wear a mask and take other precautions. In addition, the CDC reminds people to take the following measures:

In Hartford County the community level is low.

  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
  • Get tested if you have symptoms
  • People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
  • People who are immunocompromised, can learn more about how to protect themselves here.

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