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We're seeing longer dry spells between rains. Dry weather hurts our trees, parks, and gardens, and can affect our water. Gardeners and people who work outside feel it first.
We're seeing longer dry spells between rains. Dry weather hurts our trees, parks, and gardens, and can affect our water. Gardeners and people who work outside feel it first.
Slides to share:
Slides to share:
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What's happening?
What's happening?
Climate change is altering precipitation patterns across the region, bringing longer dry periods between rain events even as total rainfall amounts fluctuate. The city's water supply planning must account for more variable precipitation. Philadelphia's urban tree canopy, community gardens, and green spaces are increasingly vulnerable to drought stress.
What is the City doing?
What is the City doing?
Learn what the City is doing to prepare and recover from Drought.
What can you do?
What can you do?
Learn how to prepare and get ideas for taking action as a community. Checking in on neighbors. Building a block-level plan before a drought hits.
Gathering idea
Gathering idea
Talk with neighbors about how drier conditions have affected your block, your garden, or your community green space. Share water conservation strategies. Think together about what your community would need during a prolonged dry period.
Speak up
Speak up
Find and contact your elected officials to advocate for meaningful change. A few ideas to get started below.
Find and contact your elected officials to advocate for meaningful change. A few ideas to get started below.
Learn more about "How Philly Works".
Advocate for green infrastructure investment in your neighborhood, including trees, rain gardens, and permeable pavement that hold water in the soil.
Support community gardens and urban agriculture programs, and advocate for easier, more affordable water access for gardens.
Push for water affordability protections for households that struggle with bills during dry periods.
Share educational resources to prevent fire and reduce water consumption.
Get help
Get help
Tap a topic to open it. Tap a link to visit the website.
Text READYPHILA to 888-777 for alerts · Call 311 for City help · Call or text 211 for bills, housing, and more.
Emergency Resources
Emergency Resources
ReadyPhiladelphia Office of Emergency Management
The City of Philadelphia’s emergency information notification system is ReadyPhiladelphia. To sign up, text ReadyPhila to 888-777 or go to the link above to select additional alerts, select preferences, and choose the language. Most alerts are available in eleven languages: English, French, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Swahili, and American Sign Language.ReadyPhiladelphia Office of Emergency Management
Mental Health and Public Health Emergencies Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Emergencies can make it hard to take care of your mental health. Being prepared can help. Make a plan to make sure your basic needs and support systems are available during an emergency.Mental Health and Public Health Emergencies Philadelphia Department of Public Health
For the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988. Free online screening and resources: www.HealthyMindsPhilly.org
Mental Health and Public Health Emergencies Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Emergencies can make it hard to take care of your mental health. Being prepared can help. Make a plan to make sure your basic needs and support systems are available during an emergency.Mental Health and Public Health Emergencies Philadelphia Department of Public Health
For the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988. Free online screening and resources: www.HealthyMindsPhilly.org
Education + Information Resources
Education + Information Resources
Drought Conditions for Philadelphia County Drought.gov, NOAA & NIDIS
See how Philadelphia is experiencing drought, learn about real-time measurements and trends. Sign up for alerts, see precipitation conditions, temperature conditions, agricultural impacts, water supply levels, and more.Drought Conditions for Philadelphia County Drought.gov, NOAA & NIDIS
Drought Information Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Interstate Water Resources Management Division
Look at Pennsylvania's specific drought information, ask questions at 717-772-4048 or droughtinfo@pa.gov or contact the state's Drought Coordinator at jaminnich@pa.govDrought Information Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Interstate Water Resources Management Division
25 Ways to Conserve Water in the Home and Yard Santa Clara California
This is a practical guide of 25 ways to reduce the amount of water you use at home. 25 Ways to Conserve Water in the Home and Yard Santa Clara California
Drought In-depth National Drought Mitigation Center
Learn more about what a drought is, the types of drought, and about Climatology. Drought In-depth National Drought Mitigation Center
Drought for Kids, National Drought Mitigation Center
Learn what a drought is, how people study drought, how drought affects our lives, how to protect ourselves from drought, and a glossary of terminology. Drought for Kids, National Drought Mitigation Center
Family Emergency Plan OEM
Keep track of local emergency contacts, important phone numbers, medical information, and family meeting locations. Keep a copy within easy access so that you or your family members can refer to it in case an emergency happens.Family Emergency Plan OEM
READY Home, READY Business & READY Community Preparedness Workshops OEM
The Office of Emergency Management works with businesses and non-profit organizations like schools, places of worship, libraries, and community centers to prepare for any kind of emergency. Our READYBusiness and READYHome are free, hour-long, intense programs that will leave you knowing what to have in your hand, heart and home in the event of an emergency. If you’re interested in OEM visiting your neighborhood group or business, please email us at oem@phila.gov.READY Home, READY Business & READY Community Preparedness Workshops OEM
Creating a Climate-Forward Garden , Cornell Botanic Gardens
When gearing up for gardening season, think about making your outdoor spaces part of the climate solution. Cornell Botanic Gardens offers tips and practices for creating a climate-forward garden, where simple changes make your spaces more resilient, diverse, and beautiful.Creating a Climate-Forward Garden , Cornell Botanic Gardens
Designing the Home Garden for Drought Resilience, Penn State Extension
Explore plants and garden design practices to establish a drought-tolerant garden in the home landscape.Designing the Home Garden for Drought Resilience, Penn State Extension
Creating drought-tolerant gardens, PRO-MIX
This article shares a brief overview of drought-tolerant garden techniques and a list of drought-tolerant annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, grasses, climbers and aromatic herbs. Creating drought-tolerant gardens, PRO-MIX
Drought Strategies for Vegetable Gardening, Seed Savers Exchange
This article shares practical ways to save water in the vegetable garden, especially during dry conditions. The guide also includes a list of drought-tolerant crops and seed varieties that need less water once established.Drought Strategies for Vegetable Gardening, Seed Savers Exchange
Drought and Agriculture , Drought.gov, NOAA & NIDIS
Drought can make it hard for farms, ranches, and grasslands to get the water they need. Without enough water, it is harder to grow crops and raise animals. Drought can also cause more insects, more wildfires, and changes in how water and nutrients move in nature. These problems can make farming harder and can also make life difficult for people who live and work on farms. Drought and Agriculture , Drought.gov, NOAA & NIDIS
Rain Check , Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)
The Rain Check program offers getting a free rain barrel, the rain barrel helps to store water for non-edible plants or outdoor cleaning, reduces water consumption, and manages stormwater runoff. All Raincheck barrels are blue and Installation is provided. Contact RainCheck@pennhort.org Call 215-988-8767Rain Check , Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)
Green Infrastructure and Extreme Weather , EPA
Learn how Green Infrastructure can help prepare for droughts by replenishing local groundwater reserves.Green Infrastructure and Extreme Weather , EPA
Community Response Partner Network (CRPN) Newsletter
The CRPN Newsletter is issued approximately every two weeks and in response to emerging public health hazards. The newsletters have seasonal preparedness information. To begin receiving these newsletters and other essential information you can share with your trusted contacts, please enroll in the Community Response Partner Network (CRPN).Community Response Partner Network (CRPN) Newsletter
Philadelphia Department of Public Health Public Health Preparedness Community Resources
Order free educational materials, request training or resource tabling, sign up for webinars or newsletters. Public health emergencies are any disaster or crisis that can harm the health of Philadelphia residents and communities. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) works every day to make sure Philadelphia is prepared. Our plans involve partners at the local, state, and federal levels, and the Public Health Preparedness Program (PHP) works with community partners and service providers to keep residents informed and safe.Philadelphia Department of Public Health Public Health Preparedness Community Resources
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