Is more rain and flooding coming to Sarasota and Manatee this week from tropical system?
A record 6.47 inches reportedly fell at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, and more is on the way, according to the agency's Wednesday morning briefing.
That rainfall brought flash flooding across northern Sarasota and southern Manatee counties Tuesday night.
Forecasters say a plume of tropical moisture will continue to stream across the southern andcentral portions of the Florida Peninsula through the rest of the week, drifting slightlynorth today, "producing numerous periods of heavy rainfall and flooding."
That is primarily due to a tropical system labeled Invest90L by the National Hurricane Center, which will be making its slow way across Florida today and tomorrow. Though it is unlikely to develop into a more coherent system, "heavy rainfall is forecast to continue across portions of the Florida peninsula during the next few days," according to the NHC.
How much rain will Sarasota and Manatee get?
The area of highest rain totals will shift south again on Friday, with the highest rain totals for the week expected over Southwest Florida, forecasters said.
According to the National Weather Service, three-day rainfall totals could be in excess of 10 inches in Southwest Florida and it could be significantly more in some areas, as seen last night when downtown Sarasota received 8-10 inches.
Will there be more flooding in Sarasota and Manatee counties?
After flash floods covered roads and neighborhoods last night throughout northern Sarasota and southern Manatee counties, the area could see more flooding over the next three days.
The National Weather Service posted a flood watch that remains in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday for Sarasota, Manatee, Lee, Charlotte, DeSoto, and Hardee counties. Area flooding will be possible with the heaviest rain, especially in areas still saturated from Tuesday’s drenching.
River flooding will be possible by the end of the week, according to the NWS.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Forecasters say flash flooding could be repeated in Sarasota area