Florida floods rainfall: Florida floods: Hurricane-like heavy rainfall expected in Orlando, Daytona beach on Monday night, flash flooding likely, warn forecasters

A flood watch was in effect through Monday night for parts of Central Florida, including Orlando and Daytona Beach, where more rainfall was expected. Forecasters warn that even five to three inches of additional rain could significantly impact the area and trigger further flooding, posing a potentially fatal hazard for drivers trying to navigate flooded roads.

Heavy rains that have stalled over Central Florida have dumped nearly 20 inches (508 millimeters) of rain in 24 hours, triggering dangerous flash flooding that left cars stranded and roads flooded, and some areas remained closed until Monday. Forecasters said the massive amount of rain falling on parts of Florida east and north of Orlando was comparable to what the region saw from a hurricane in 2022, underscoring the state’s vulnerability to extreme weather that goes well beyond offshore tropical storms.

“This is very significant rainfall. So this is the kind of numbers we haven’t seen since Hurricane Ian,” said Zach Law, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s office in Melbourne, Florida.
Parts of Eustis in Lake County received 19.7 inches of rain, while Port Saint John, west of the Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County, saw 15.57 inches, according to NWS’s 24-hour rainfall analysis.

A slow-moving storm system triggered a flash flood emergency in Eustis and Mount Dora on Sunday; The NWS declared the incident a “particularly dangerous situation,” a rare warning from forecasters in harsh terms.

“This underscores how important this event is,” Law said. Mount Dora residents found multiple roads closed Monday, at least two roads were wet and one was impassable. Local officials here issued a citywide precautionary boil water advisory after a water line break, apparently linked to flooding, caused water pressure to temporarily drop at both of the city’s facilities. Emergency responders and work crews were there early Monday to monitor conditions and assess damage.

FAQ

Q1. Where is Daytona Beach, Orlando, Florida?
A1. Daytona Beach is in Orlando Florida.

Q2. How much rain is expected in Florida?
A2. Heavy rains that have stalled over Central Florida have dumped nearly 20 inches (508 millimeters) of rain in 24 hours, triggering dangerous flash flooding that left cars stranded and roads flooded, and some areas remained closed until Monday.