TAMPA, Fla. — While the Tampa Bay region has baked under soaring temperatures in the last week, the wet season is set to roll in over the rest of the week, with showers and storms dumping upwards of 10 inches of rain in some areas.
The region is expecting rain and storms each day through the end of the week, with rain chances hitting around 90% every day through Saturday.
Greg Dee gives an update on rainfall for the week:
Total rainfall will vary across the region. Areas north of I-4 are expected to receive anywhere from 2-8 inches of rain (with some higher amounts possible), while areas south of I-4 could see amounts as high as 10-15 inches.
The highest rainfall totals are expected in southwest Florida in the Fort Myers region.
Meteorologist Shay Ryan said, "Five-day rainfall totals will be high enough (3"- 8") to make up for the annual deficits (1"- 6") we are seeing right now. The concern will be if we get too much rain too fast in any area with poor drainage. That could lead to flooding. So we will be watching for that as well, but overall, this looks like beneficial rain for our area. The highest rainfall totals will be to the south around Sarasota County, while the lowest totals are expected to the north in Citrus County."
For most, the days of heavy rain will be a welcome sight as an ongoing drought has been impacting the region. The rain should help the wildfire problem that has also been exacerbated by the drought.
Florida Wildfire Resources
A state report says hundreds of frail elderly nursing home residents were stacked side by side, head to toe in a small church with no working air conditioning or refrigerator during Hurricane Helene.
