The wet season is June through October when 70 percent of the year's rain falls. Flooding may happen when large amounts of rain occur over a short period of time or from a single, heavy storm, tropical system or hurricane. The South Florida Water Management District operates the regional system of canals, levees and water control structures to lessen the impact of floods. The system connects to local drainage districts and smaller neighborhood systems to manage flood water during and after heavy rains.
If you haven't lived in Florida for long, you may not know that our climate offers two seasons: wet and dry. Flood and drought are frequent visitors, the result of too much or too little rain. In South Florida, rain falls on a landscape that is almost flat and not designed to store massive quantities of rainfall. In any year, drought can happen during the wet season. Flooding can occur when we least expect a downpour. That's because nature in South Florida has a way of ignoring the calendar and any expectations of "normal." The general pattern is that each November, temperatures cool, and rainfall becomes less frequent. Then, in May or June, temperatures start to rise, tropical forces take hold, and the wet season starts anew.
The likelihood of flooding and water shortages increases with development and population growth. As more land is developed, open expanses of wetlands are lost. Wetlands are needed in Florida to hold excess water so it can recharge groundwater. Rainfall accumulates much more quickly on lands paved with roads and covered by homes and shopping centers. That sometimes forces us to prevent flood threats by flushing water to the coast.
A growing population increases the demand on our shared water resources. Demand is highest during the dry winter months, when tourism is at its peak. Even though demand can ebb and flow, overall water supplies don't change much.
We carefully plan for both drought and flood, as do most other local and state governments charged with managing water. Part of that planning includes finding more places to safely store excess water, exploring new sources for drinking water supplies and protecting and restoring existing natural water resources.
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