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National Weather Service: St. Johns County facing exceptional drought, wildfire risk; limited short-term rainfall expected
Summary
A National Weather Service briefing told commissioners the county is in exceptional-to-extreme drought with 30–90 day rainfall deficits and elevated wildfire risk; forecasters said modest rain is possible but significant drought relief before May is unlikely and urged water conservation and fire preparedness.
The National Weather Service briefed the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners on March 24 that the region is experiencing one of its driest periods since the 1990s, with exceptional drought conditions in parts of the First Coast and elevated wildfire risk.
Scott, a meteorologist with the local National Weather Service office, presented data showing rainfall deficits of 25–50% over the past 90 days in much of northeast Florida, low streamflows and stressed aquifers in some areas. He said the county recorded a 13.3‑inch total between Aug. 25 and March 21 in the St. Augustine area — placing it among the driest stretches since 1974 — and that model guidance offered only limited chances for substantial soaking rains through mid‑April.
Officials discussed public-safety implications: drought increases wildfire risk, may affect water supply planning and could trigger mutual‑aid resource considerations for interior counties. The county’s public affairs office said it is coordinating with emergency management to amplify warnings and conservation guidance. Commissioners and staff urged residents to conserve water, noting county proclamations and utility programs already aimed at reducing irrigation and improving leak detection.
No emergency declaration was made at the meeting; staff and the Weather Service urged residents and businesses to follow voluntary conservation measures and to heed any future fire-watch or red-flag warnings.
