Sarasota, Florida – A city on Florida’s west coast experienced an unprecedented deluge on Tuesday evening, with a staggering 8 inches of rain falling within just three hours. This sudden downpour led to flash floods in the area, causing disruptions for drivers and numerous flight delays across the state. The remarkable nature of the rain was highlighted by experts, who indicated that such an event can typically be expected only once every 500 to 1,000 years in the region. By comparison, the entire month of June typically sees around 7.3 inches of rainfall in the Tampa Bay area.
In addition to the record-breaking rainfall, the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport recorded 3.93 inches of rain in just one hour, setting yet another record. Coastal areas in Sarasota County were heavily impacted, with some areas seeing up to 10 inches of rain on Tuesday alone. The National Weather Service’s office in Tampa Bay warned that similar conditions were likely to persist on Wednesday and throughout the rest of the week, with continued heavy rainfall expected in the region.
Videos shared on social media depicted a chaotic scene in Sarasota, with flooded roads making it challenging for emergency vehicles and drivers to navigate the area. Incidents of cars becoming stranded in deep waters were reported, including in Siesta Key to the west of Sarasota. The unusually severe weather system was attributed to a convergence of factors, including deep tropical moisture from a disturbance known as 90-L by the National Hurricane Center, along with a region of low pressure off Florida’s west coast.
The relentless rain is forecasted to continue throughout the week, prompting the National Weather Service to issue warnings of more than 7 inches of rain expected in southern Florida in the coming days. This damp spell follows a prolonged period of drought in parts of Florida, with Sarasota experiencing significantly less rainfall than usual since the beginning of 2023, marking it as the driest period on record. The dry soil in the area, despite the lack of recent rainfall, has aided in limiting flooding by allowing for greater absorption of the sudden influx of water.
The impact of the torrential rain extended beyond Sarasota, affecting airports across the state. Miami International Airport reported 462 delays and 52 cancellations, while Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport faced 331 delays and 8 cancellations. The disruption caused by the inclement weather underscores the challenges faced by residents and travelers in Florida during this exceptional weather event.