GULF OF SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THAT COMING UP AT 518. SEE THAT? TAKING A LIVE LOOK OVER LAKE DORA. LAKE COUNTY HAS BEEN DRY FOR MONTHS, BUT A LOT OF RAIN IS HEADED THEIR WAY OVER THE NEXT WEEK, AS TONY JUST MENTIONED, BECAUSE IT’S BEEN SO DRY THERE. AS FIRST WARNING METEOROLOGIST VICTORIA WESH 2 NEWS, HE EXPLAINS, HEAVY RAIN OVER A SHORT PERIOD COULD BE SOMETHING TO WATCH. WE’RE FORECASTING CENTRAL FLORIDA TO SEE UP TO FIVE INCHES OF RAIN IN THE COMING DAYS. AND NOW THIS IS JUST A TASTE OF WET SEASON, BUT A PERFECT TIME FOR RESIDENTS TO PREPARE AND BE FLOOD AWARE. LAKE COUNTY IS RUNNING TWO INCHES BELOW NORMAL FOR THE YEAR, WITH SOME AREAS UP TO SIX INCHES BEHIND, BUT THAT DEFICIT WON’T LAST LONG. RIGHT NOW, OUR RIVER LEVELS ARE INCREDIBLY LOW, AND SO THERE’S MORE STOCK AND THERE’S MORE CAPABILITY FOR THAT BASIN TO TAKE MORE WATER. AND WHILE THE RAIN IS WELL NEEDED, DROUGHT HARDENED GROUND CREATES A DIFFERENT REALITY. ONCE THE WATER ARRIVES, WE MIGHT SEE SOME OF THAT RAIN JUST STAY ON THE GROUND A LITTLE BIT, WHICH MIGHT CAUSE SOME THINGS LIKE URBAN FLOODING AND JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE WATER WHERE WE MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE SEE IT. THAT MEANS KNOWING YOUR RISK BEFORE THE RAIN ARRIVES MATTERS MOST. I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL RISK FOR THEIR HOMES, THEIR PROPERTIES, AND THEIR RESIDENCES, AND THEY CAN LOOK UP FLOODPLAIN MAPS AND TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT IS AND MAKE THEIR PLANS ACCORDINGLY. SHE ALSO EMPHASIZES TO KNOW HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR COUNTY’S EMERGENCY ALERTS AND TO CHECK THAT YOUR FLOOD INSURANCE IS UP TO DATE, ESPECIALLY WITH HURRICANE SEASON JUST AROUND THE CORN
Central Florida prepares for heavy rain amid drought conditions
Updated: 5:36 PM EDT May 26, 2026
Central Florida is forecast to receive up to 5 inches of rain in the coming days, providing much-needed relief from drought conditions but raising concerns about urban flooding. Lake County is currently running 2 inches below normal rainfall for the year, with some areas up to 6 inches behind. Emergency Management Director Megan Milanese said the region’s river levels are low, which allows the basin to handle more water. “Right now, our river levels are incredibly low, and so there’s more stock, and there’s more capability for that basin to take more water,” Milanese said. However, Milanese explained that drought-hardened ground could lead to challenges once the rain arrives. “We might see some of that rain just stay on the ground a little bit, which might cause some things like urban flooding and just a little bit more water where we might not otherwise see,” she said. Milanese stressed the importance of residents understanding their flood risks and preparing accordingly. “I think it’s important for folks to know the individual risk for their homes, their properties, and their residences, and they can look up, you know, floodplain maps and try to find out what that is, and make their plans accordingly,” she said. She also emphasized the need for residents to ensure their flood insurance is up to date and to know how to receive emergency alerts from the county, especially with hurricane season approaching. “The rainfall, I think, is going to be very welcome. We just hope that it comes in a way that doesn’t cause impacts to our residents,” Milanese said.
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. —
Central Florida is forecast to receive up to 5 inches of rain in the coming days, providing much-needed relief from drought conditions but raising concerns about urban flooding.
Lake County is currently running 2 inches below normal rainfall for the year, with some areas up to 6 inches behind. Emergency Management Director Megan Milanese said the region’s river levels are low, which allows the basin to handle more water.
“Right now, our river levels are incredibly low, and so there’s more stock, and there’s more capability for that basin to take more water,” Milanese said.
However, Milanese explained that drought-hardened ground could lead to challenges once the rain arrives.
“We might see some of that rain just stay on the ground a little bit, which might cause some things like urban flooding and just a little bit more water where we might not otherwise see,” she said.
Milanese stressed the importance of residents understanding their flood risks and preparing accordingly.
“I think it’s important for folks to know the individual risk for their homes, their properties, and their residences, and they can look up, you know, floodplain maps and try to find out what that is, and make their plans accordingly,” she said.
She also emphasized the need for residents to ensure their flood insurance is up to date and to know how to receive emergency alerts from the county, especially with hurricane season approaching.
“The rainfall, I think, is going to be very welcome. We just hope that it comes in a way that doesn’t cause impacts to our residents,” Milanese said.