BALTIMORE (AP) — Maryland's Department of the Environment says a drought warning has been issued for most of the Eastern Shore.

The warning issued Monday covers all of the Eastern Shore except for Cecil County. MDE says during a drought warning local water systems should implement conservation measures and residents and businesses should look to cut non-essential water use. MDE says rainfall has been about 70 percent of normal since the end of January, and it isn't aware of any jurisdictions implementing voluntary or mandatory restrictions.

The department says a previously issued drought watch for central Maryland remains in effect. All other areas, including areas served by Baltimore City and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, remain normal. The central region includes Frederick, Carroll, Cecil, and parts of Baltimore, Harford, Howard and Montgomery counties.