Little Let-Up In South Florida's Wettest Winter On Record

Posted by Paul Rusnak|March 7, 2016

According to a reports from South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) officials, widespread, above-average rainfall continued in February, adding to what has been a non-existent dry season across the region.

February’s rainfall follows the wettest November through January since recordkeeping began in 1932.

A total of 2.58 inches of rain fell District-wide in February, representing 125% of average, or 0.51 inches above average.

Nearly every basin received above-average rainfall, including:
• Lower Kissimmee, which feeds Lake Okeechobee, received 2.67 inches of rain, representing 129% of average, or 0.60 inches above average.
• Lake Okeechobee received 2.80 inches of direct rainfall, representing 127% of average, or 0.59 inches above average.
• East Caloosahatchee received 2.58 inches of rain, representing 136% of average, or 0.68 inches above average.
• Water Conservation Area-3 (WCA-3), which is currently flooded, received 2.75 inches of direct rainfall, representing 138% of average, or 0.76 inches above average.

The SFWMD is continuing emergency operations to lower water levels throughout the regional system. Last week, Gov. Rick Scott signed an Executive Order that declares a state of emergency in Lee, Martin, and St. Lucie counties following heavy rainfall, which has resulted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers frequently discharging water from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.

In addition, Scott also called on the Obama Administration to fully fund the more than $800 million in needed repairs to the federally operated Herbert Hoover Dike, which would safely hold water to prevent these discharges.