Heavy Rain — Sarasota, Florida

2012-10-05 · near Desoto Lakes, Sarasota, Florida

Event narrative

A relatively small rain shower developed over Interstate 75 near Sarasota, lowering visibility and reducing traction on the road. As a result, a 47 car pileup ensued as cars entering the shower did not have enough distance ahead of them to stop. A total of 52 patients were treated for minor injuries, included 19 taken to area hospitals. Total damage of $140,000 was calculated by conservatively estimating $3,000 per vehicle.

Wider weather episode

The east coast seabreeze developed and moved west across the state with scattered showers and thunderstorms. One particularly small but intense thunderstorm contributed to a 47 car pileup along Interstate 75.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (27.3888, -82.4490)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 416016. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.