{"id":1045686,"date":"2026-09-05T21:49:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T21:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1045686\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T21:49:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T21:49:15","slug":"northeast-florida-in-drought-for-more-than-a-year-why-officials-are-still-urging-residents-to-conserve-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1045686\/","title":{"rendered":"Northeast Florida in drought for more than a year; why officials are still urging residents to conserve water"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 Water managers say Northeast Florida has just hit a milestone \u2013 but not the good kind.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been in a period of deficit rainfall for over a year now,\u201d said Clay Coarsey, director for the Division of Water Supply Planning and Assessment for the St. Johns River Management District.<\/a><\/p>\n

Coarsey said August brought some precipitation<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"Rainfall deficit since the beginning of 2026 (WJXT)<\/p>\n

Coarsey explained that the aquifers have been heavily impacted over the past year.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s at a really low level right now, so it\u2019s really critical that we continue to conserve water,\u201d Coarsey said.<\/p>\n

Northeast Florida remains under a Phase III Extreme Water Shortage declaration<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Officials urge residents to follow conservation rules and tips:<\/p>\n