Heavy rain is moving into Central Florida, and the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for parts of Volusia and Brevard counties until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Areas east of Interstate 4 could see 3 to 5 inches of rain over the next seven days, with some spots getting more.
First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi declared Tuesday and Wednesday Impact Weather Days as the rain threat builds. The National Weather Service said the most likely rainfall totals are 2 to 4 inches, with isolated amounts of 5 to 7 inches, and that could lead to localized flooding from Interstate 4 east to Interstate 95.
That warning lands after an extremely dry several months across Central Florida, which helps explain why the forecast is getting so much attention. WESH quoted First Warning Weather meteorologists as saying the region needs the rain after the dry stretch, but that it may be too much and could lead to flooding. The concern is not just how much rain falls, but where it falls and how fast it comes down.
Read Also: Harmeet Dhillon Promotion Discussed for Top Justice Department Role
The Florida Department of Transportation said officials are inspecting and clearing drainage systems, staging pumps and coordinating with the Florida Highway Patrol. Drivers are being urged to check Florida 511 for travel conditions, including road closures and detours. For people heading out Tuesday and Wednesday, the question is whether the rain stays manageable or overwhelms already stressed drainage systems; the flood watch says the risk is real.
