Last night, Florida experienced an unprecedented amount of rainfall, leading to the entire southern region of the state being placed on flood watch until Thursday evening.
Yesterday from 5pm to 8pm, the cities of Miami and Fort Lauderdale were hit with the heaviest downpour of the year. In just one hour, Sarasota received almost 4 inches of rain.
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On Wednesday, David Parkinson, a senior weather producer at CBS, exclaimed that it was the highest number ever recorded in an hour.
In just three hours, the Tampa Bay area experienced an unprecedented 8 inches of rainfall. This amount of extreme precipitation is so rare for the region that it is only expected to occur once every 500 to 1,000 years. As a result of the heavy showers and thunderstorms, flash flooding has occurred across southern Florida, leaving cars submerged in the streets and leading to flight cancellations.
As per NBC Miami, Miami International Airport experienced over 450 delays and 50 cancellations, while Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport had over 330 delays and a few cancellations.
Parts of the region received nearly a month’s worth of precipitation in a short period of time on Tuesday. The planet’s warming is predicted to result in more frequent and severe extreme rain events.
According to Climate Central, hourly rainfall intensity has increased in all regions of the US since 1970. This trend can be attributed to a warmer atmosphere that has the ability to hold more moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall.
Inland flooding has been a constant challenge for the US, with extreme precipitation being the primary culprit for the damages incurred since 1988. In fact, it accounts for a considerable portion of the destruction, making up 37% of the total. Urban areas with non-porous surfaces or insufficient greenery face a greater likelihood of stormwater runoff, further increasing the risk of flooding. Flash floods, in particular, pose a significant threat to communities as they can overwhelm wastewater management systems, potentially leading to raw sewage flowing out into nearby water sources, endangering lives.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, floodwaters can contain a variety of hazardous materials such as downed power lines, human and livestock waste, and other harmful substances. Exposure to these contaminated waters can lead to a range of health problems including infections, rashes, tetanus, and other ailments. It is important to exercise caution and avoid contact with floodwaters whenever possible to prevent these potential health risks.
