May rainfall breaks all-time record for South Florida

Sixteen-county region averaged 9 inches of rain for the month

Andy Reid | Sun Sentinel

SOUTH FLORIDA - The wettest May on record delivered history-making drought relief to South Florida, according to rain totals released Monday by the South Florida Water Management District.

South Florida averaged about 9 inches of rain during May, more than twice the normal rainfall.

Broward and Palm Beach counties fared even better, averaging almost 9.5 and 10 inches, respectively.

Palm Beach International Airport received 15.7 inches of rain, the second-wettest May on record for West Palm Beach since 1890, according to the National Weather Service. Things were a bit drier at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, where 7.8 inches of rain fell.

Water managers who in mid-May faced political fights over how to divvy up drought-strained backup water supplies have now shifted into flood-control mode.

"Unbelievable," said Susan Sylvester, the district's director of operations. "The system is refilling ... I think we are in a really great position."

The heavy rainfall has water managers considering easing tougher watering restrictions imposed in April on some of the driest areas.

In May, before the heavy rains started, the district limited residents in southern Miami-Dade County and the Keys to once-a-week watering. Farmers, nurseries and other water-dependent businesses south of Lake Okeechobee were forced to cut back water usage by 45 percent. Ending those restrictions will be up for consideration when the district's board meets next week.

"We are certainly close to the point where we may rescind some of the restrictions," said Pete Kwiatkowski, the district's water shortage team leader.

Those potential changes do not include the twice-a-week watering limits for most of South Florida; Kwiatkowski said he expects those limits to remain in place.

The May rainfall bested the previous high for the month -- 8.95 inches in 1934. Recordkeeping for the water district's 16-county region, stretching from Orlando to the Keys, dates back to 1932.

In April, Lake Okeechobee -- South Florida's primary backup water supply -- dropped to the point that pumps were installed to keep water flowing south to help irrigate farms and restock supplies.

During the past week, the lake level rose about half a foot, hitting 11.26 feet above sea level Monday.

The lake in May climbed out of the "water shortage" range and now sits almost 2 feet higher than this time last year.

Even with the return of the rains, South Florida's main water problem remains lack of storage space to hold on to stormwater for times of need.

The lack of storage means that if June and July turn out to be drier than normal, water shortage concerns return.

"If the rainfall turns off, who knows?" Sylvester said. "You need to have rain all along the way."

Andy Reid can be reached at abreid@SunSentinel.com or 561-228-5504.