Torrential rains that stopped over Central Florida dumped nearly 20 inches (508 mm) of rain in 24 hours, creating dangerous flooding that stranded cars and flooded roads, with some closed to traffic through Monday.
Meteorologists said that the huge amount of rain that fell on parts of Florida east and north of Orlando was similar to what the region witnessed during tornado In 2022, which confirms the state’s exposure to extreme weather that goes far beyond the borders of the world Tropical storms This drink is abroad.
“This is very heavy rain,” said Zach Low, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Melbourne, Fla. “I mean, these are the kind of numbers we haven’t really seen since Hurricane Ian.”
Parts of Eustis in Lake County were drenched in 19.7 inches of rain, while Port St. John, west of the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, saw 15.57 inches, according to a 24-hour rainfall analysis by the NWS.
A slow-moving storm system created a flash flood emergency in Eustis and Mount Dora on Sunday, with the National Weather Service declaring the event a “particularly dangerous situation,” a rare, stern warning from meteorologists.
“This highlights how important this event is,” Lu said.
Mount Dora residents woke up Monday to multiple road closures leaving at least two washed out and one impassable. Local officials there issued a precautionary citywide boil water notice after a water line break — apparently linked to flooding — caused water pressure to temporarily drop at both city stations.
Aerial footage from Orlando television station WFTV showed floodwaters washing away much of the ground behind a row of homes in a residential neighborhood in Mount Dora, with the ground collapsing near the fence line of some homes.
Emergency responders and crews were out early Monday to monitor conditions and assess damage.
A flood watch was in effect through Monday evening for parts of central Florida, including Orlando and Daytona Beach, where more rain was expected. Forecasters warn that even 2 to 3 inches of additional rain could significantly impact the area and lead to more flash flooding, posing a potentially deadly danger to drivers trying to navigate flooded roads.
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Kate Payne is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America It is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.