July 3, 2017
West Palm Beach, FL – After experiencing drought-like conditions throughout the dry season, the start of the wet season in June ushered in extreme rainfall, which dropped nearly double the amount of rain normally seen in the month across South Florida. The significant rainfall caused high water emergencies in the southern and central parts of the system, particularly the water conservation areas.
"These two extremes illustrate the system's unpredictability and showcase the alertness required to take necessary actions when drought concerns turn to flooding realities," said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Dan O'Keefe. "This is the nature of water management in South Florida and this is why we work 24/7 to protect families, businesses and the environment."
The District-wide average rainfall for June was nearly 15 inches, or about 181 percent of average. The three water conservation areas, critical links in system, which convey water south from Lake Okeechobee to Everglades National Park, received the heaviest rainfall. Water Conservation Areas 1 and 2 received 18.49 inches, or 246 percent of average. Water Conservation Area 3 received 18.74 inches, or 219 percent of average.
Most of these heavy rains fell in the first two weeks of June.