I am in the suburbs of NYC and cannot complain about drought this summer. Indeed, it seems to have been wetter than normal this summer which has led to very lush growth (including lush growth of invasives that I don't want). We did have a pretty bad drought a few years ago and lost some very pretty mature shrubs. We also lost some mature trees which the arborist says might have been affected by that drought. Even the worst of the invasive weeds slowed down that summer. In the fall after that drought a lot of white wood asters popped up and seem to have gained some ground ever since which did soften the blow a bit. My "prairie plants" and Joe Pye weed, purple coneflowers, some coreopsis, sedums, bee balm and a few other things have been doing o.k. even in fairly dry times. I had some volunteer black eyed susans for the first time ever (or at least in the last 5 years). I have lots of jewel weed and poke berry as usual. We also have some volunteer snakeroot. Sunflowers and pumpkins did not work for me this year but they never do. Some of the things you think are dead might still be hanging on so don't dig them out just yet. Add mulch and water to the extent you can and hope for the best. I wish you luck.