September brought more dry weather and continued drought conditions to much of southern New England. For many, the drought began in July 2016. At this point, this is a drought categorized largely by well below normal precipitation and groundwater and agricultural impacts. Most of the region experienced below normal rainfall during the month of September.
A drought advisory was in effect for the whole state of Rhode Island during the month of September. Soil moisture (measured by the Climate Prediction Center) was abnormally dry or drier. Groundwater conditions (measured by the United States Geological Survey) were found to be below to well below normal. River and streamflow conditions were below to well below normal with 16 gage sites in southern New England at record low levels.
Farmers have had to irrigate their crops much more than normal for September. While data thus far has been anecdotal, many farmers are having to choose which fields to irrigate and which to let go, as well as not doing 2nd and 3rd plantings of late summer crops.  Providence County was declared a primary disaster county due to the drought. Farms in this county are eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.
A somewhat unique situation to Tiverton is a lack of water to fight fires.  Tiverton has no fire hydrants, so firefighters rely on nearby ponds and rivers for their tanker trucks.  With ponds and rivers well below their normal levels, it has become more and more difficult for firefighters to draw water from these sources.

Drought in SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
From 13-SEP-16 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor expanded the Severe Drought (D2) designation into southeastern Providence County on September 13th.  This continued through the month of September.

Drought in WESTERN KENT, RHODE ISLAND
From 13-SEP-16 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor expanded the Severe Drought (D2) designation into western Kent County on September 13th.  This continued through the month of September.

Drought in EASTERN KENT, RHODE ISLAND
From 13-SEP-16 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor expanded the Severe Drought (D2) designation into eastern Kent County on September 13th.  This continued through the month of September.

Drought in BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND
From 13-SEP-16 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor expanded the Severe Drought (D2) designation into Bristol County on September 13th.  This continued through the month of September.

Drought in WASHINGTON, RHODE ISLAND
From 13-SEP-16 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor expanded the Severe Drought (D2) designation into Washington County on September 13th.  This continued through the month of September.

Drought in NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
From 13-SEP-16 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor expanded the Severe Drought (D2) designation into Newport County on September 13th.  This continued through the month of September.

Drought in BLOCK ISLAND, RHODE ISLAND
From 13-SEP-16 07:00:00 to 30-SEP-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor expanded the Severe Drought (D2) designation into Block Island on September 13th.  This continued through the month of September.