Cordova, in a rainy region, asks residents to conserve water

Cordova — a town in one of the rainiest corners of Alaska — is running low on water, and is asking residents to cut back for the next few weeks.

The city said Thursday that a low snowpack and a stretch without rain have drawn down its supply. And the coming rain won't rescue it. "Rain is expected soon, but it won't be enough to refill our water supply," the alert said, urging residents to keep conserving "even if it rains in the next few weeks."

The shortage came on fast because Cordova's water, serving roughly 2,700 people, comes from surface sources fed by precipitation — so a dry spell shows up in the supply almost immediately. The notice didn't spell out specific steps this time, but the city's usual advice in a pinch is straightforward — shorter showers, full loads of laundry, and holding off on washing the car.