Radar and gauges showed 5 to 9 inches of rain in northeastern Palm Beach County by 7 p.m. Sunday. A flood watch runs to 3 p.m. Monday, coastal flooding to 7 p.m.
A flash flood warning covers West Palm Beach until 9:15 p.m. Sunday. Thunderstorms parked over northeastern Palm Beach County dropped between 5 and 9 inches of rain by 7 p.m., the National Weather Service in Miami said.
The weather service first issued the warning at 5:23 p.m. and extended it at 7:02 p.m. It based the totals on Doppler radar and automated rain gauges. It said 1 to 2 more inches were possible, falling at up to 2 inches an hour, and that flash flooding was ongoing or about to begin.
The warning names these places among those at risk:
- downtown West Palm Beach
- Riviera Beach, about four miles north
- Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Park and North Palm Beach
- Haverhill, Cloud Lake and Mangonia Park
- Palm Beach International Airport, which the weather service lists as President Donald J. Trump International Airport
How Sunday’s rain built
The storms built through the afternoon. Each update from the weather service raised the rain total for the eastern half of the county.
| Time Sunday | What the weather service issued | Rain so far, as it reported |
|---|---|---|
| 3:49 p.m. | Flood advisory: West Palm Beach, Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach | 2 to 3 inches |
| 4:18 p.m. | Strong storm near West Palm Beach, gusts of 45 to 50 mph | Not given |
| 4:37 p.m. | Flood advisory: downtown West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Lake Park | 1.5 to 2.5 inches |
| 5:23 p.m. | Flash flood warning until 7:15 p.m. | 2.5 to 3.5 inches |
| 5:34 p.m. | Flood advisory: West Palm Beach, Wellington, The Acreage | 3 to 4 inches |
| 6:27 p.m. | Strong storm over Riviera Beach, gusts of 45 to 50 mph | Not given |
| 7:02 p.m. | Flash flood warning extended to 9:15 p.m. | 5 to 9 inches |
The totals are ranges across each warned area, not a reading at one address. Belle Glade and Pahokee, in the western county, were under their own flood advisories earlier in the afternoon, with 4 to 5 inches reported by 3:31 p.m.
More rain possible Monday
A flood watch for all of Palm Beach County, Broward and Miami-Dade runs until 3 p.m. Monday. The weather service said scattered places on the east coast could pick up 3 to 5 inches of rain through Monday, and isolated spots 5 to 7 inches. It said uncertainty is high about where the heaviest rain will fall.
A watch means flooding is possible. A warning, like the one in place Sunday night, means it is happening or about to.
Coastal flooding and rough surf
The king tide flooding has not finished either. The weather service’s coastal hazard message, issued at 1:20 p.m. Sunday, extended three alerts for coastal Palm Beach County:
- Coastal flood advisory until 7 p.m. Monday, for moderate flooding of lots, parks and roads around high tide
- High surf advisory until 7 a.m. Monday, for breaking waves of 5 to 7 feet
- High rip current risk through Tuesday evening
The Lake Worth tide gauge, about seven miles south of downtown, peaked at 1.63 feet at 12:48 p.m. Sunday. That is just under the 1.7-foot line where the weather service counts flooding as moderate, and well below the 2.71 feet of Tuesday, Oct. 27. Our king tides story has the full week.
What it means for you
- Do not drive through standing water. The warning named underpasses, streets and low-lying areas as the places that flood first. Just 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars, the weather service’s flood safety page says.
- Allow extra time Monday morning. Rain could return before the watch ends at 3 p.m., and the coastal advisory runs to 7 p.m. Check our road closures page before you leave.
- Voting Tuesday? Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Our voting page has how to find your polling place.
- Stay out of the ocean through Tuesday. The rip current risk runs through Tuesday evening. Swim only near a lifeguard.
- Check your flood zone. The city’s flood advice line is 561-805-6705, and our hurricane prep page links the city’s flood map by address.
We will update this story when the warning and the watch end.
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