The drought has significantly impacted Florida's underground water supplies, which are crucial for drinking water and farming, with aquifers in northern and central regions particularly dry as of March 30. The dry weather threatens crops already damaged by hard freezes in February, and large wildland fires have flared up in some areas, while wetland ecosystems like the Everglades face unusually dry conditions. The Everglades is facing a once-in-a-quarter-century drought that could force alligators to become more aggressive and wading birds to abandon nestlings due to diminished food supply.
Some water districts in Florida have imposed restrictions on water use for activities like lawn watering and car washes. South Florida is experiencing a water shortage, with the South Florida Water Management District issuing a water shortage warning for Miami-Dade and Monroe counties on February 6, recommending residents limit usage by actions such as sprinkling yards less frequently and taking shorter showers. As of late February, these recommendations are voluntary but could become mandatory if conditions worsen, and the tourism industry in South Florida faces risks from the drought. Forecasters anticipate that a slow-moving rainstorm set to hit Florida this week may offer some relief.
While the current drought is severe, it does not yet rival the worst drought that has parched Florida, with the 2000–2001 drought being more intense, lasting longer, and affecting a larger area. Specific mandatory water restrictions that might be imposed if drought conditions worsen in South Florida remain uncertain, as does the extent of the threat to crops and the agricultural economy, and how severely the tourism industry has been impacted and what mitigation measures are being taken.