Florida drought not expected to let up

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Meteorologists say the drought in Florida is approaching the worst in state history following two of the driest seasons in more than 100 years.

Weather experts said a La Nina weather system is partly to blame for keeping rain out of the state -- and it is likely to continue doing so, the Orlando Sentinel reported Monday.

"There's a really robust La Nina going on now," said Bart Hagemeyer, head meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Melbourne, Fla. "We're probably not going to see much rain between now and May."

The Apalachicola River and Peace River are currently at critically low levels as a result of the drought, and Central Florida's large lakes are also feeling the effects.

Ed Harris, an aquatic biologist with the state Department of Environmental Protection, said Orlando-area lakes hurt by the rain shortage are "too many to count."

Utilities are also feeling the strain from the drought, with the Toho Water Authority in north Osceola County warning rules limiting lawn watering to twice a week will soon be enforced.

"It's going to be a soft approach with warnings at first before they get rougher with fines," said authority customer-service advocate Barbara Arrant.