Earlier this month, Florida faced an extraordinary weather event, experiencing record-breaking rainfall and severe flash flooding. This deluge, which should occur only once every 500 to 1,000 years, significantly impacted various parts of the state, from Tampa Bay to Sarasota.
On June 11, Sarasota got hit hard, with nearly 4 inches of rain falling in just one hour. “That’s the most ever in an hour,” said David Parkinson, a senior weather producer at CBS. Just an hour north, Tampa Bay saw 8 inches of rainfall in only three hours, leading to extensive flooding, submerged cars, and canceled flights.
This extreme weather event is part of a concerning trend. Climate Central’s analysis attributes over a third of inland flood damage in the U.S. since 1988 to a warming climate. Cities like Tampa Bay and Sarasota, along with other communities along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, face increased flooding risks now and in the future.
Flooding poses a major concern as the second leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S. A study published in Nature concluded that the hydrological cycle intensifies due to heat-trapping gases, leading to more frequent and severe precipitation events. The National Centers for Environmental Information noted that for every 1 degree Fahrenheit of warming, the atmosphere holds about 4% more water vapor, enhancing the potential for heavy rainfall and flooding.
To address the increasing frequency of such events, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collaborates with local and state governments to prepare critical water infrastructure for climate impacts. The EPA also supports recovery efforts following natural disasters, including floods. Additionally, cities around the world implement nature-based solutions, such as installing rain gardens and rooftop gardens, to manage excess rainwater and reduce flooding.
NASA’s Earth Observatory mapped this historic rainfall, capturing images that highlighted the severity of the flooding. The western Caribbean’s moisture plume brought heavy rains to Florida’s Gulf Coast, leading to significant precipitation records and widespread disruption. Sarasota County recorded 6.5 inches of rain in 24 hours, breaking the previous record of 2.5 inches set in 1940. Some areas received up to 10 inches of rain, with the Sarasota Bradenton Airport reporting a record 3.9 inches in just one hour.
Further south, cities like Fort Myers and Naples also set new daily precipitation records on June 11. In Miami, near-record rainfall caused hundreds of flight delays and cancellations, significantly disrupting aviation operations.
NASA’s Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for GPM, part of the Global Precipitation Measurement mission, provided unprecedented rainfall figures that underscore the gravity of the situation. These historic rainfall events highlight the urgent need for adaptive measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect communities from future flooding.
Florida’s recent deluge serves as a stark reminder of the growing challenges posed by extreme weather. As climate change intensifies, we must invest in resilient infrastructure and sustainable practices to safeguard vulnerable regions from devastating flooding impacts.
