JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Water managers say Northeast Florida has just hit a milestone – but not the good kind.
“We’ve been in a period of deficit rainfall for over a year now,” said Clay Coarsey, director for the Division of Water Supply Planning and Assessment for the St. Johns River Management District.
Coarsey said August brought some precipitation that brought totals closer to normal in parts of Northeast Florida, but it was far from enough to make up for the long-term shortfall.
Most of Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia are in moderate drought, with many areas still in severe or extreme drought and well over a foot in rain deficit.
Rainfall deficit since the beginning of 2026 (WJXT)
Coarsey explained that the aquifers have been heavily impacted over the past year.
“It’s at a really low level right now, so it’s really critical that we continue to conserve water,” Coarsey said.
Northeast Florida remains under a Phase III Extreme Water Shortage declaration. Coarsey said his team is optimistic about rainfall projections for the coming months but that it will take a lot of rain to restore normal conditions.
Officials urge residents to follow conservation rules and tips:
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Landscape irrigation is limited to one day a week
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Irrigation is prohibited between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
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Reset irrigation timers
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Inspect irrigation systems for leaks
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Avoid wasteful water use
“You can turn it off this time of year; you’ll still have a nice, healthy lawn with the rainfall that we’ll be getting through the end of September,” Coarsey said.
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