Drought disaster declared; city restricts outdoor irrigation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Federal officials have declared a drought-related disaster in Rhode Island. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack declared Monday all five of the state’s counties as “primary natural disaster areas.” The declaration allows eligible farms to be considered for low-interest, emergency loans and other assistance from the department’s Farm Service Agency. Meanwhile, New England’s second-largest city is urging residents to limit water use. The city of Worcester, Massachusetts declared a drought Monday, restricting the use of outdoor irrigation systems and reminding residents not to let indoor faucets flow longer than necessary.