Governor González-Colón Announces New Expansion of Federal Drought Disaster Declaration for Puerto Rico
La Fortaleza, Puerto Rico – September 24, 2026 — Governor of Puerto Rico Jenniffer González-Colón announced a new federal drought disaster declaration for Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under which 31 municipalities have been designated as primary disaster areas and an additional 22 as contiguous disaster areas.
With this new determination, a total of 63 municipalities across the Island have been included in the three drought disaster declarations issued by the USDA since August.
The USDA action expands the areas of Puerto Rico where eligible farmers and agricultural operators may be considered for federal assistance, including emergency loans through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). The FSA uses primary and contiguous disaster area designations to determine producer eligibility for certain disaster assistance programs.
“I welcome this new expansion by the USDA, which adds municipalities and expands the areas that may benefit from the assistance tools available to address the effects of this drought. We continue working to ensure that our farmers and producers are aware of the federal resources available to them and can access the assistance for which they may be eligible,” said Governor González-Colón.
The 31 municipalities designated by USDA as primary disaster areas under this new declaration are:
Adjuntas, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Bayamón, Canóvanas, Carolina, Cataño, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Comerío, Culebra, Fajardo, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Humacao, Jayuya, Juncos, Las Piedras, Loíza, Luquillo, Naguabo, Orocovis, Río Grande, San Juan, San Lorenzo, Trujillo Alto, Vieques, Villalba, and Yabucoa.
The 22 municipalities designated as contiguous disaster areas are:
Arecibo, Barranquitas, Caguas, Coamo, Corozal, Florida, Guayama, Guayanilla, Juana Díaz, Lares, Manatí, Maunabo, Morovis, Naranjito, Patillas, Peñuelas, Ponce, Salinas, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Utuado, and Yauco.
The federal designation allows agricultural operators located in primary and contiguous disaster areas to be considered for assistance through the FSA Emergency Loan Program, provided they meet the eligibility requirements established by the federal government. The FSA evaluates applications individually, taking into consideration factors such as the extent of losses, repayment ability, and applicable loan security requirements.
In addition, the USDA drought disaster declaration makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses, and private nonprofit organizations located in designated municipalities. These loans are intended to assist entities experiencing economic hardship because of drought conditions and are subject to the eligibility requirements and criteria established by the SBA.
Meanwhile, Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli said:
“Since the beginning of this emergency, we have maintained close coordination to identify and utilize the tools the federal government makes available to Puerto Rico. This new determination expands the reach of those tools to additional municipalities based on the drought conditions identified. We will continue working alongside Governor González-Colón to ensure that our farmers and producers have access to the resources available to them.”
Governor González-Colón also thanked the USDA and Secretary Brooke Rollins for their response and coordination in addressing the needs of Puerto Rico’s agricultural sector.
“I thank the USDA and Secretary Rollins’ entire team for continuing to respond to Puerto Rico’s needs. Our Administration will continue working with federal and state agencies to ensure that our farmers are aware of the tools available to them and can access the assistance for which they may be eligible,” the Governor said.
The González-Colón Administration reiterated its commitment to continue monitoring drought conditions and coordinating with federal and state agencies to identify additional resources available to farmers, producers, and other eligible sectors affected by this emergency.
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