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THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: May 10, 2008

The economy in general, and the housing market in particular, is in less than ideal shape, forcing state and local governments and school districts to cut spending and in some cases eliminate jobs. The horrendous tragedy Cyclone Nargis inflicted on the Southeast Asian nation Myanmar is sending the Suncoast a sobering reminder that the start of the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane season is less than three weeks away. To top all that off, the price of a gallon of gasoline is near the $4 level.

So we could all use some good news about now, right?

OK, here it is: The drought that has gripped the Suncoast and rest of Florida over the last two years or so appears to be relenting. Or as Ben Nelson, the state meteorologist told the Tampa Tribune on Wednesday, the drought "is in the process of going away."

Although rain has been a bit scarce in recent weeks, 2008 got off to a relatively wet start. As a result, the portion of the state experiencing some level of drought has fallen from the scary 99.6 percent seen at this time last year to the current level, 69 percent. In addition, there have been a lot fewer wild fires so far this year as compared to the same time in 2007. Finally ,groundwater levels in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties are about 2 feet higher than a year ago.

We hope the stringent water-use regulations that have been enacted in other parts of the state in response to the drought now won't be needed on the Suncoast.

Just don't let the lessening of the drought lull you into a careless attitude regarding fires outdoors. There is still plenty of dry vegetation out there to fuel wildfires until the summer rainy season arrives.

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