Despite recent rainfall, Florida remains dangerously dry, with nearly 80% of the state under extreme drought conditions as of April 2026. The Tampa Bay area has been hit particularly hard.
National Weather Service data shows that St. Petersburg has received less than half its normal rainfall since September 1, 2025, and several other cities in the Tampa Bay region are in the same situation.
Unusually dry conditions gripped Florida for much of 2025, but the intensity and extent of the drought increased sharply beginning in January 2026. The drought has also left its mark on the state’s underground water supplies, which are widely tapped for drinking water and agriculture.
In response, the Southwest Florida Water Management District declared a Modified Phase III “extreme” water shortage effective April 3 through July 1. The order applies to all St. Petersburg water customers, including residents on private wells, and restricts lawn watering, car washing, and restaurant water service. Enforcement patrols are underway, and citations will be issued without warnings beginning April 17.
The drought is also fueling a dangerous wildfire season. In just the first three months of 2026, the Florida Forest Service responded to more than 1,600 wildfires — already more than half of what crews typically handle in an entire year, which averages around 2,400 to 2,500 fires.
Fire officials attribute the surge to a prolonged drought lasting more than a year, winter freezes that killed vegetation, dry debris left behind by past hurricanes, and winds that can rapidly spread flames.
Officials are urging residents to clear dry debris from yards and gutters, fully extinguish any open flames, and promptly report smoke or suspicious activity.
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