South Florida

Recent Rain Ends Drought Conditions For Many Parts of South Florida

What to Know

  • Miami International Airport picked up more than eight inches of rain this month, over five inches more than what is considered typical.
  • Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport has been doused with over 11 inches of rain this month.
  • The only major reporting stations in South Florida still reporting drought conditions are Marathon and Naples.

While the recent wet weather has caused trouble for motorists, homeowners and even animals dealing with the constant rain and flooding, one positive has come out of the stormy conditions: South Florida’s drought issues are a thing of the past.

Before the onset of rainy season began last week, all of South Florida was experiencing drought conditions – some considered severe by forecasters. In a week and a half, many locales picked up over 10 inches of rain.

Miami International Airport picked up more than eight inches of rain this month, over five inches more than what is considered typical, while Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport has been doused with over 11 inches of rain this month – with two inches considered typical – as both areas are now in a surplus.

Key West has logged almost eight inches of rain this month.

The National Weather Service says a flood watch remains in effect until noon in Broward County, where many areas have experienced flooded roads.

The agency says more than 14 inches of rain fell near Coconut Creek during a 24-hour period from Saturday evening to Sunday evening. Further south, just under 2 inches of rain fell in Miami Beach.

The only major reporting stations in South Florida still reporting drought conditions are Marathon and Naples, down about two and four inches on the year respectively.

With the week ahead calling for more rain, those numbers could be gone before the end of May as a disturbance in the Caribbean - which has just a 20 percent chance of development over the next five days - will increase rain chances as the week goes on.

Copyright The Associated Press
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