1,000-year flood event grips parts of Florida as severe storms bring relentless rain
Millions across Florida face a growing severe weather threat as rounds of heavy rain continue to soak the Sunshine State, raising concerns about dangerous flooding.
THE TAKEAWAY
FLORIDA – Back-to-back historic rainfall events are hammering Florida, with parts of the state seeing up to 20 inches of rain in just 12 hours as millions face an ongoing threat of severe storms and dangerous flooding.
Radar estimates indicate 18 to 20 inches of rain fell in 12 hours just south of Palm Bay. According to NOAA, anything over 15.5 inches in 12 hours makes this a 1,000-year flood event.
A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for Brevard County, with the National Weather Service getting reports of vehicles stalled in the water in the Palm Bay area. The emergency has since expired, and a Flash Flood Warning remains in effect.
Another round of heavy rain will douse Florida throughout the day today, as much of the state's east coast is under a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat.
This includes major cities such as Miami, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Melbourne and Key Largo.
KNOW YOUR FLOOD TERMINOLOGY: WHAT FLOOD WATCHES, WARNINGS AND EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN
This comes as the region was already drenched on Sunday. Repeated rounds of heavy rain could quickly lead to flooding issues.
"The concern is that many areas along the Atlantic coast, from South Florida and the Treasure Coast to the Space Coast and Jacksonville, have already received significant rain," the FOX Forecast Center said.
The most intense rainfall will begin to fade later this afternoon, but the recent rainfall has already left the ground more saturated than normal, keeping the threat of flooding in play.
ELECTION DAY WEATHER COULD BRING STORMS, FLOODING TO PARTS OF US AS MILLIONS HEAD TO POLLS
Widespread flooding is the greatest concern as rain totals add up.
MILLIONS OF AMERICANS IN FOR A PLEASANT NOVEMBER AS ABOVE-AVERAGE TEMPERATURES TAKE HOLD
Through Monday, an additional 2 to 3 inches of rain is likely, along with isolated flooding on Tuesday, when a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk is in effect from the Space Coast to Miami.
A coastal flood threat also exists as rough surf and dangerous rip currents are a concern along Atlantic beaches, with onshore winds producing waves of 4 to 6 feet or higher.
School officials are already taking additional precautions, with Burrell College in Melbourne announcing the closure of campus for Monday.
The wet weather and nasty storm conditions will persist before fading later in the evening, but impacts will linger on Tuesday as flooding will remain a concern.
The post 1,000-year flood event grips parts of Florida as severe storms bring relentless rain appeared first on Fox Weather
