Palm Beach hits record 17 inches of rain in six hours, raising questions for Tuesday's vote

Seventeen inches of rain fell in Palm Beach, Florida, in just six hours on Sunday, November 1, a 1,000-year event that occurred with a 0.1% annual probability. The National Weather Service in Miami confirmed that this extreme rainfall exceeded the standard criteria for such an event by nearly a factor of two. While other parts of the southeast coast received between one and three inches, the Palm Beach area registered the highest totals, saturating the ground and flooding streets in multiple communities.

The deluge was not isolated to the coast. Inland locations in Glades and Hendry counties recorded rainfall between four and six inches. In Miami-Dade County, intense thunderstorms generated an estimated three to five inches of rain in some areas, triggering a flash flood warning on Sunday afternoon. As the rain subsided Monday morning, radar activity picked up again in the afternoon. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for North Central Miami-Dade County, citing strong winds of at least 60 miles per hour. That warning ended shortly after 4 p.m., though heavy precipitation persisted across the region.

The weather system continued to shift southward through Monday. Near Melbourne, more than two feet of rain fell in a single day. Meteorologist Jeff Berardelli noted that over 26 inches of rain dropped in 24 hours in that area, with bands of heavy rain continuing to move from the south. He described the situation as unprecedented in his career, noting that multiple cities received 12 to 24 inches of rain without the presence of a tropical storm.

As voters head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, conditions are expected to improve but remain unsettled. The National Weather Service forecasts a mix of clouds and sunshine for South Florida, with scattered showers possible throughout the day. Highs in Miami are projected to reach 86 degrees Fahrenheit. In Central Florida, including Orlando, temperatures will climb into the lower to mid-80s, with occasional showers developing in the late morning and afternoon. North Florida and the Panhandle face a few passing showers, particularly in the morning, with highs near 82 degrees in Jacksonville and the upper 70s in the Panhandle.

A marginal risk for flash floods remains for Tuesday, stretching from South Florida through the East Central region. While much of the Panhandle should remain dry during the day, rain chances increase late Tuesday night. The National Weather Service advises residents to keep an umbrella handy as a few showers move across southeast Florida and into the Southwest during the day.