Sunday Rain Brings Drought Relief to Central Florida

Significant rainfall helps reduce drought conditions across the region.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sunday's rain in Central Florida provided much-needed relief to the ongoing drought in the Sunshine State. The highest rainfall amounts were recorded along and north of I-4 and near I-75, which coincided with the biggest improvements on the Keetch-Byram drought index. All of Central Florida saw a significant reduction in drought conditions following the rain.

Why it matters

Drought conditions can lead to increased fire risk and other environmental issues, so the rainfall was an important step in addressing the drought that has impacted the region. The drought monitor released by federal agencies will provide a clearer picture of the drought's status after the weekend rain.

The details

The Keetch-Byram drought index, which measures soil moisture and fire risk, showed significant improvements across Central Florida after Sunday's rain. Areas that saw the highest rainfall amounts also had the biggest reductions in the drought index. While the region is still dealing with drought, the weekend rain was an important step in the right direction.

  • Sunday's rainfall provided the first significant precipitation in the region in weeks.
  • The official drought monitor from federal agencies will be released on Thursday, providing an updated assessment of the drought conditions.

The players

Keetch-Byram Drought Index

A measure of soil moisture and fire risk, with higher numbers indicating drier conditions.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The federal agency that, along with NOAA, releases the official drought monitor for the United States.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The federal agency that, along with the USDA, releases the official drought monitor for the United States.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The upcoming drought monitor report from the USDA and NOAA will provide a clearer picture of how the weekend rain impacted drought conditions across Central Florida.

The takeaway

While the region is still dealing with drought, the significant rainfall on Sunday was an important step in the right direction and helped reduce the Keetch-Byram drought index across Central Florida. The upcoming drought monitor report will give a better sense of the overall impact of the rain.