Flash Flood in Orange County, Florida

A period of very heavy rainfall in association with the core of Hurricane Milton moved across Orange County overnight Oct 9 - 10, resulting in widespread flash flooding across the county. An estimated 4 to 8 inches of rain fell across an area already saturated from 3 to 5 inches of rain earlier in the day. Orange County Emergency Management received reports of several water-related rescues and roads closed due to water of 1 to 3 feet in depth. Damage estimates for the flash flood event are unavailable; however, cost estimates for the entire flood event during Hurricane Milton are noted in the corresponding flood entry.

Hurricane Milton moved ashore the west-central Florida coast as a category 3 hurricane on Oct 9 around 1930EST. The system continued slowly in an east-northeast trajectory across central Florida, becoming a category 1 hurricane before emerging into the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Canaveral. The outer rainbands of Milton overspread the Florida peninsula earlier in the day, leading to a prolific tornado outbreak across Okeechobee, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Osceola and Brevard counties with over 19 confirmed tornadoes within a 4-hour period. Milton's slow forward motion produced very heavy rainfall, with significant urban and street flooding particularly near and north of the center's track, as well as a significant river flood event along the St. Johns. Considerable tree damage and some structural damage occurred due to the system's tropical storm force winds, and hurricane force wind gusts, particularly near and north of the track of the center.