Treasure Coast drought concerns increase as need for rain grows

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — Drought conditions on the Treasure Coast are worsening, and officials are getting concerned. According to the National Weather Service’s Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI), Martin County is now the third driest county in Florida, with St. Lucie County not far behind. The index scale runs from one to 800, with one being the wettest and 800 being the driest. According to Miguel Nevarez with Florida Forest Service, normally for this time of year, the Treasure Coast has a KBDI level of around 400. As of Monday, Martin County has a KBDI level of 633, more than 50%…