Flood — Okeechobee, Florida

2015-02-28 · near Basinger, Okeechobee, Florida

Event narrative

A slow moving strong storm across Okeechobee County produced 5 to 7 inches of rain across the northwest and central portions of the county during the afternoon and evening, primarily over the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve. The COOP observer at the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve reported 5.69 inches of rain in 24 hours while another range gauge at the park reported 6.92 inches. Most of this rainfall fell in less than 6 hours.

This heavy rainfall led to minor flooding of roadways across Central Okeechobee County. The Kissimmee Prairie observer reported several inches of standing water on local roadways, which remained passable.

Wider weather episode

Heavy rain associated with the intersection of a stalled frontal boundary and a coastal trough along the Treasure Coast trained into the coasts of St. Lucie and Martin Counties during the morning and early afternoon hours. Additional slow moving storms developed in the afternoon producing heavy rain and small hail in Central Okeechobee County.

Twenty-four hour rainfall totals reached 8-11 inches in and around the Palm City and Stuart areas with 3-7 inch amounts around Port St. Lucie. Radar estimated rainfall totals were up to 7 inches across Central Okeechobee County. The majority of this rainfall occurred in a period of 6-hours or less.

Flooding of many roadways occurred, stranding many vehicles. Water entered several homes in Palm City. Drainage canals overflowed and standing water reached a foot in many locations and was slow to recede. Standing water was reported on roadways in Central Okeechobee County.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (27.6300, -81.1400)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 553875. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.