Forecasters: Florida drought to continue through April

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Florida is suffering from one of its worst droughts on record, which is creating bone-dry fuel for wildfires and a severe, statewide water shortage, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service is predicting the drought will continue at least through April.

Many Floridians are experiencing hardships from the drought, notably people who work in car-wash, nursery, landscaping and gardening businesses. The South Florida Water Management District, which is responsible for imposing water restrictions, has banned car washes from operating after 3 p.m. and limited lawn watering to two days per week.

VIDEO CNN's John Zarrella reports on the worsening drought in Florida Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     RESOURCES Weather forecasts for Florida

The agency is considering even tougher restrictions. Landscaper Scott Lewis expressed his frustration at a recent hearing, urging the board not to impose any stronger measures. People have decided not to bother with spring planting because of the measures, and there is not enough water for nursery plants.

"If you want to keep ignoring us, then it turns into a class-action lawsuit, because you are causing us economic hardship," Lewis said.

Tighter restrictions could be declared as soon as this week, but officials have decided to delay the move to judge whether tougher enforcement of current limits would have a similar result. Violations of the water restrictions carry fines up to $500.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Climatic Data Center, 2000 was the state's driest year on record. The drought, which began in April of 1998, is the worst since the 1930s, the center says.

Recent rainy weather had brought some hope to Florida. A cold front coming out of the Gulf of Mexico passed over the state the week of January 29, but it brought little relief in the state's northern and central counties, the NOAA says. Although forecasters predict near-normal rainfall in Florida through April, it is not expected to end the region's drought.

The drought has dried up Florida's grass and forest regions, providing plenty of fuel for easily sparked fires.

About 800 wildfires have burned more than 23,000 acres in Florida this year alone, according to the National Weather Service, and drifting smoke from those fires obstructs the vision of motorists, posing a driving hazard.

Hardest hit by the drought, the weather service says, is the Tampa Bay area. Only 64.17 inches of rain fell in the region from 1999 to 2000, 23 inches fewer than normal. The so-called "rainfall deficit" in Orlando during the same period was 11 inches.

"Although it's raining today and it will rain throughout the weekend, Florida is still about two feet short of rain in the last two to three years," CNN Meteorologist Chad Myers said. "Many of the lakes in central Florida are still running at 25 percent of capacity."

CNN Miami Bureau Chief John Zarrella contributed to this report.

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Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS
U.S. Geological Survey
Florida Natural Resources Conservation Service

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