Connect with us

CBS News

Nearly 4 inches of rain fell in an hour in Sarasota – and the 1 in 1,000-year record event could happen again

Avatar

Published

on


South Florida Weather for Wednesday 6/12/2024 7AM


South Florida Weather for Wednesday 6/12/2024 7AM

00:36

The Sunshine State is no stranger to rainstorms, but one city there saw a record-breaking deluge Tuesday night. Sarasota, Florida, received nearly 4 inches of rain in just one hour.

The National Weather Service recorded 3.93 inches of rain at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport just before 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

“That’s the most ever in an hour,” CBS News senior weather producer David Parkinson said on Wednesday.  “[It’s] an event that has a 0.1% probability (or once per 1,000 years).” 

The National Weather Service said that one of its stations in Siesta Key, less than 7 miles from Sarasota, reported nearly a foot of rain with many areas getting over 5 inches within the past 24 hours. Sarasota and several other nearby areas saw even higher rainfall amounts, the agency said, with coastal Sarasota seeing between 6 and 10 inches of rain on Tuesday. 

Sarasota, Punta Gorda and Fort Myers are all under a flood watch until at least 8 p.m. on Thursday. Much of the Sarasota flooding was captured on camera, with pictures and videos showing people pushing submerged cars off of roads, slow-moving fire trucks causing wakes on water-covered streets and popular area St. Armand’s Circle looking as if its boutique stores are waterfront properties. 

Other parts of the state were also hit. In the past 24 hours, Miami Beach saw almost 7 inches of rain, while Hallandale Beach got 6 inches, and Hollywood, North Miami and Coral Gables received just over 5 inches of rainfall, CBS News Miami reported.

According to Parkinson, the 1 in 1,000-year event in Sarasota could happen again – not even 24 hours later. He said that such intense rain is possible again on Wednesday and Thursday and that there is potential for another foot of rain “on top of what’s already fallen.” 

“All of the southern third of Florida is at risk here, and flash flooding is likely,” he said. The heaviest rain will last through Thursday, although showers are expected to continue into Saturday. 

The rainy weather comes as the National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a low-pressure system moving over Florida. That system is “producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms,” the center said in a Wednesday morning update, adding there is a “low” 20% chance that the system could continue to develop into a bigger tropical storm within the week.

The frequency and intensity of rainstorms are only expected to increase as global temperatures warm, as increased heat speeds up precipitation, helping fuel storms. This year has already seen back-to-back heat records across the planet, and those temperatures are not expected to diminish with the continued burning of fossil fuels, which trap heat within the atmosphere. 

Rising global temperatures also lead to another problem – drought. Sarasota’s downpour this week comes as the area has been facing a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The government-run monitor shows that drought has impacted the entire county, which saw its 38th driest April in 130 years of record-keeping. 





Read the original article

Leave your vote

CBS News

Here Comes the Sun: Zoë Kravitz and more

Avatar

Published

on


Here Comes the Sun: Zoë Kravitz and more – CBS News


Watch CBS News



Actor, producer and director Zoë Kravitz sits down with Michelle Miller to discuss her directorial debut with the film “Blink Twice.” Then, Martha Teichner meets Philippe Petit, the French high-wire artist who walked across a high wire strung between the Twin Towers 50 years ago. “Here Comes the Sun” is a closer look at some of the people, places and things we bring you every week on “CBS Sunday Morning.”

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

The Bathtub Murder of Kendy Howard

Avatar

Published

on


The Bathtub Murder of Kendy Howard – CBS News


Watch CBS News



Did a former Idaho state trooper use his law enforcement skills to stage his wife’s death in their bathtub? “48 Hours” correspondent Peter Van Sant reports.

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

The Menendez Brothers’ Fight for Freedom

Avatar

Published

on


The Menendez Brothers’ Fight for Freedom – CBS News


Watch CBS News



The Menendez brothers were given life sentences for gunning down their own parents. Now they’re hoping new evidence could reopen the case. “48 Hours” contributor Natalie Morales reports.

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024 Breaking MN

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.