USDA Designates Several New York as Natural Disaster Areas

This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for 8 or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional.

Triggering Disaster #1

Impacted Area: New York, Vermont

Triggering Disaster: Drought

Application Deadline: 8/31/2026

Primary Counties Eligible:

• New York: Essex

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:

• New York: Clinton, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren, Washington

• Vermont: Addison, Chittenden

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Triggering Disaster #2

Impacted Area: Vermont, New Hampshire, New York

Triggering Disaster: Drought

Application Deadline: 8/31/2026

Primary Counties Eligible:

• Vermont: Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Lamoille, Orleans

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:

• New Hampshire: Coos, Grafton, Clinton

• New York: Clinton, Essex

• Vermont: Addison, Caledonia, Grand Isle, Washington

Triggering Disaster #3

Impacted Area: Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York

Triggering Disaster: Drought and Heat

Application Deadline: 9/29/2026

Primary Counties Eligible:

• Vermont: Bennington, Grand Isle, Windham

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:

• Massachusetts: Berkshire, Franklin

• New Hampshire: Cheshire, Sullivan

• New York: Clinton, Rensselaer, Washington

• Vermont: Chittenden, Franklin, Rutland, Windsor

More Resources

On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.