Drought Update

Florida’s peninsula continued to suffer through an unusually dry cool season, resulting in additional expansion of severe to extreme drought (D2 to D3). Through April 28, dry-season precipitation (since November 1, 2008) totaled just 2.31 inches (20% of normal) in Naples and 4.74 inches (25%) in Fort Lauderdale. The Deep fire near Miles City, Florida, 30% contained by April 28, charred at least 24,000 acres of vegetation and resulted in closures of I-75 (Alligator Alley) across the Everglades.