A city on Florida’s west coast was hit by a record-breaking 8 inches of rain in just three hours on Tuesday evening, resulting in flash floods that hindered drivers and delayed hundreds of flights across the state. The amount of rain that fell in Sarasota in such a short period of time was so rare that it should only be expected every 500 to 1,000 years. Typically, the Tampa Bay area only receives 7.3 inches of rain in the entire month of June, making this event even more unusual. The Sarasota-Bradenton Airport recorded 3.93 inches of rain in just one hour, setting another record for the area.
Coastal areas in Sarasota County saw up to 10 inches of rain on Tuesday alone, with more rain expected on Wednesday and throughout the week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Tampa Bay. Videos shared on social media showed flooded roads in Sarasota, with a fire truck and lanes of traffic struggling to navigate through the deep water. Cars across the region became stranded after attempting to drive through flooded areas, including in Siesta Key to the west of Sarasota.
The weather system responsible for the heavy rainfall was caused by deep tropical moisture from a disturbance called 90-L by the National Hurricane Center, as well as a small area of low pressure off Florida’s west coast and a slow-moving convergent band. The Chief Meteorologist at NBC affiliate WFLA of Tampa, Jeff Berardelli, explained that more rain is expected throughout the week across the state. The NWS warned residents to anticipate over 7 inches of rain in a prolonged heavy rainfall event across southern Florida for the next several days, as the state continues to experience extreme wet weather.
The heavy rain comes after parts of Florida have been experiencing drought conditions for several months. Sarasota has received 25 inches less rain than usual since the beginning of 2023, making it the driest period on record for the area. Despite the drought, the extremely dry soil in Sarasota has helped limit flooding to some extent, as it is able to absorb more water than normal. The unusual weather patterns and extreme wet conditions have disrupted daily life in the region, with drivers and residents having to navigate through flooded streets and deal with the impact of the record-breaking rainfall.
As the rain continues to fall, residents in southern Florida are urged to stay prepared and take necessary precautions during the ongoing heavy rainfall event. The NWS has issued warnings for potential flooding and advised residents to be vigilant and stay informed about the changing weather conditions. The rare and extreme nature of the rainfall in Sarasota highlights the unpredictability of weather patterns and the importance of being ready for unexpected weather events. Despite the challenges posed by the heavy rain, the community is coming together to support each other and navigate through the difficult conditions brought on by the record-breaking precipitation in the area.
