Persistent dry weather during the late winter and early spring led to the development of severe drought conditions from northern and central Miami-Dade County through western Broward County to eastern Collier and far southwestern Palm Beach counties.

Drought in COASTAL MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
From 03-APR-18 07:00:00 to 30-APR-18 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Precipitation totals since February were only at 25 to 50 percent of normal levels across a large part of coastal and metro Miami-Dade County, with a swath of less than 25% percent along the northern end of the county from North Miami Beach to Miami Lakes. This prolonged period of below normal rainfall led to low groundwater levels across this area.

Drought in METROPOLITAN MIAMI-DADE, FLORIDA
From 03-APR-18 07:00:00 to 30-APR-18 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Precipitation totals since February were only at 25 to 50 percent of normal levels across a large part of coastal and metro Miami-Dade County, with a swath of less than 25% percent along the northern end of the county from North Miami Beach to Miami Lakes. This prolonged period of below normal rainfall led to low groundwater levels across this area.

Drought in INLAND MIAMI-DADE, FLORIDA
From 03-APR-18 07:00:00 to 30-APR-18 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Precipitation totals since February were only at 25 percent of normal levels over a large portion of the Everglades in Miami-Dade County, with a few spots near 10% of normal in the Water Conservation area 3. This prolonged period of below normal rainfall led to low groundwater levels across this area, including at Water Conservation area 3.

Drought in INLAND COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
From 03-APR-18 07:00:00 to 30-APR-18 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Precipitation totals since February were only at 25 percent of normal levels over a large portion of the Everglades and Big Cypress Reserve in eastern Collier County, with a few spots near 10% of normal in the far eastern portion of the county. Water levels at several reporting stations in the Big Cypress were at near historically low levels.
These very dry conditions contributed to several lightning-triggered wildfires in the Big Cypress on April 10th, including the Vulture and Buzzard fires, and the Caracara fire reported on April 17th. These fires eventually became part of the Avian Complex which encompassed about 30,000 acres through the end of April.

Drought in INLAND PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
From 03-APR-18 07:00:00 to 30-APR-18 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Precipitation totals since February were only at 25 percent of normal levels over the Everglades of Broward and far southwestern Palm Beach counties, encompassing the Water Conservation Area 2 which was at very low levels.

Drought in INLAND BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA
From 03-APR-18 07:00:00 to 30-APR-18 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Precipitation totals since February were only at 25 percent of normal levels over the Everglades of Broward and far southwestern Palm Beach counties, encompassing the Water Conservation Area 2 which was at very low levels.