Florida, 2009

Wildfire and Drought in Florida, May 1 to 26, 2009

May 1 to 26, 2009 · NWS MFL · 16 events in 15 counties and zones

The winter/spring drought over South Florida intensified during early parts of May, but came to a quick end as copious rainfall fell during the last 2 weeks of the month.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 16 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
16

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS MFL wrote it up.

The winter/spring drought over South Florida intensified during early parts of May, but came to a quick end as copious rainfall fell during the last 2 weeks of the month.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Miami, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 30, 6:21 PM EST, 5 hours 39 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 30, 6:21 PM EST, 5 hours 39 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
721 PM EDT THU APR 30 2009

.AVIATION...VFR CONDITIONS WILL PREVAIL THROUGH THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
A COUPLE OF SHRA DEVELOPED ALONG THE WEST COAST SEA BREEZE THIS
AFTERNOON AND THIS IS LIKELY AGAIN FRIDAY AFTERNOON BUT THEY WILL
SO ISOLATED DID NOT PLACE IN THE TAF FOR KAPF AT THIS TIME.

30/KOB

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 641 PM EDT THU APR 30 2009/

UPDATE...ISOLATED HEAVY SHOWERS DEVELOPED JUST AFTER 4 PM ALONG
THE GULF COAST SEA BREEZE...AFFECTING WESTERN COLLIER COUNTY. ONE
HEAVY SHOWER REMAINED STATIONARY JUST EAST OF TAMIAMI TRAIL...3
MILES EAST OF BELLE MEADE...WITH RADAR ESTIMATED RAINFALL OF 3-5
INCHES OVER A VERY SMALL AREA. ADDITIONAL SHOWERS CONTINUE BUT ARE
LESS INTENSE. UPDATED THE FORECAST TO INCREASE POPS AND EXPAND
THEM JUST A TAD INLAND...BUT STILL THE SHOWERS LOOK TO REMAIN WEST
OF STATE ROAD 29 AND THE WILDFIRE SITE. THE SHOWERS WILL DISSIPATE
OVER THE NEXT HOUR OR SO...WITH DRY WEATHER PREVAILING
INTERIOR/GULF COAST OVERNIGHT. NO ECHOES CURRENTLY SHOWING UP
ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. HOWEVER...WILL MAINTAIN THE SLIGHT CHANCE
POPS ALONG THE EAST COAST TONIGHT...AS STREAMERS OFF THE BAHAMAS
COULD ALLOW A FEW SHOWERS TO DEVELOP AFTER SUNSET...WHEN SHOWERS
BECAME ACTIVE THE PAST FEW NIGHTS. ALL IN ALL THOUGH...AFTER THE
SHOWERS ALONG THE GULF COAST DISSIPATE...IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY NICE
EVENING ACROSS SOUTH FL. /DG

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 148 PM EDT THU APR 30 2009/

DISCUSSION...
A COUPLE OF STREAMER CLOUDS WERE DEVELOPING EARLY THIS AFTERNOON
OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. THESE STREAMER CLOUDS SHOULD CONTINUE TO
DEVELOP AND PUSH WEST INTO THE EAST COAST METRO AREAS THIS
AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT. AT THE SAME TIME...THE WEST COAST SEA
BREEZE WAS DEVELOPING ALONG THE WEST COAST AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO
DEVELOP THROUGH THE AFTERNOON HOURS. SO WILL CONTINUE THE SLIGHT
CHANCE OF SHOWERS FOR THE EAST AND WEST COAST METRO AREAS FOR THIS
AFTERNOON...AND ALONG THE EAST COAST METRO AREAS FOR TONIGHT.

HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE WESTERN ATLANTIC WATERS WILL CONTINUE TO
SLOWLY WEAKEN...WHILE MOVING SLOWLY EASTWARD FURTHER INTO THE
ATLANTIC WATERS THROUGH THIS WEEKEND. AT THE SAME TIME...THE
SHORT RANGE MODELS NOW KEEP THE WEAK MID TO UPPER LEVEL TROUGH NORTH
OF THE AREA AS IT PASSES TO THE EAST AND BUILDS THE MID TO UPPER
LEVEL RIDGE OVER THE CWA. THIS WILL KEEP THE EAST TO SOUTHEAST
WINDS GOING OVER THE CWA FRIDAY INTO THIS WEEKEND...BUT THE
PWAT VALUES WILL BE LESS THAN AN INCH OVER ALL OF THE CWA. SO WILL
REMOVE THE SLIGHT CHANCE OF POPS FOR THE ALL OF THE CWA FOR FRIDAY
INTO THIS WEEKEND.

EXTENDED FORECAST...
THE MID TO UPPER LEVEL RIDGE WILL THEN BREAK DOWN EARLY NEXT
WEEK OVER THE CWA...AS THE SURFACE HIGH WILL CONTINUE TO SLOWLY
MOVE EAST FURTHER INTO THE ATLANTIC WATERS. THIS WILL ALLOW FOR
THE WINDS TO BECOME MORE SOUTHEAST BY MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK ALLOWING
FOR SOME LOW LEVEL MOISTURE TO WORK INTO THE AREA. SO WILL KEEP
EARLY NEXT WEEK DRY...BEFORE BRINGING BACK A SLIGHT CHANCE OF
SHOWERS TO SOUTH FLORIDA FOR MIDDLE TO END OF NEXT WEEK.

AVIATION...
MOSTLY VFR CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THE PERIOD,
HOWEVER OCCASIONAL CEILINGS AROUND 3K FT MAY STILL OCCUR, ALBEIT
BRIEFLY. WINDS ALONG THE EAST COAST WILL REMAIN GENERALLY EAST WHILE
AT APF THE SEA BREEZE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE INLAND REACHING THE
TERMINAL BETWEEN 18 AND 19Z AND PUSH BACK TO THE COAST CLOSE TO
SUNSET.

MARINE...
THE WINDS WILL REMAIN EAST TO SOUTHEAST OVER ALL OF THE CWA WATERS
TONIGHT THROUGH THIS WEEKEND. THE SPEEDS WILL ALSO DECREASE FROM
15 TO 20 KNOTS THIS AFTERNOON TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS TONIGHT INTO THIS
WEEKEND...EXCEPT FOR THE GULF WATERS WHERE THEY WILL REMAIN 10 TO
15 KNOTS.

THE SEAS IN THE ATLANTIC WATERS WILL FALL FROM THE 4 TO 6 FEET
THIS AFTERNOON DOWN TO 2 TO 4 FEET TONIGHT INTO THIS WEEKEND. IN
THE GULF SIDE...THE SEAS WILL REMAIN AT 2 TO 4 FEET. SO NO
HEADLINES FOR ANY OF THE WATERS TONIGHT INTO THIS WEEKEND.

FIRE WEATHER...
THE RELATIVE HUMIDITIES OVER THE WESTERN INTERIOR AND PORTIONS OF
THE WEST COAST METRO AREAS WERE AROUND 40 PERCENT EARLY THIS
AFTERNOON. THESE RELATIVE HUMIDITIES SHOULD CONTINUE TO FALL INTO
THE LOWER TO MID 30S THIS AFTERNOON AS THE TEMPS CONTINUE TO WARM
UP TO AROUND 90 DEGREES. THE LDSI IS ALSO IN THE MID 70S FOR THIS
AFTERNOON. SO WILL CONTINUE THE RED FLAG WARNING FOR THE INTERIOR
AND WEST COAST METRO AREAS UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THESE AREAS.

THE SAME PATTERN WILL CONTINUE ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH TEMPS
WARMING UP TO AROUND 90 WITH THE DEW POINTS IN THE 50S OVER THE
INTERIOR AND WEST COAST METRO AREAS. THIS WILL ALLOW FOR THE
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES TO FALL BELOW 35 PERCENT FOR 4 HOURS OR MORE
ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON. HOWEVER...THE WEST COAST SEA BREEZE SHOULD
PUSH INLAND EARLIER ON FRIDAY THEN TODAY WHICH SHOULD HELP TO KEEP
THE DURATION OF THE LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES LESS THAN 4 HOURS. SO
AT THIS TIME WILL BE ISSUING A FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR
GLADES...HENDRY...AND INLAND COLLIER COUNTIES...AND LET THE
EVENING OR NIGHT SHIFT DETERMINE IF THE WEST COAST METRO AREAS
NEED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH OR WARNING.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
WEST PALM BEACH  70  82  69  82 / 10 10 10 10
FORT LAUDERDALE  73  84  72  84 / 10 10 10 10
MIAMI            72  84  71  84 / 10 10 10 10
NAPLES           65  88  65  87 / 20 -  -  -

&&

.MFL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...RED FLAG WARNING UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR FLZ063-FLZ066-
     FLZ069-FLZ070.

     FIRE WEATHER WATCH FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING
     FOR FLZ063-FLZ066-FLZ070.

AM...NONE.
GM...NONE.
&&
Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 30, 8:15 PM EST, 3 hours 45 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR SOUTH FLORIDA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
915 PM EDT THU APR 30 2009

FLZ063-066>075-168-172>174-011000-
GLADES-HENDRY-INLAND PALM BEACH-METRO PALM BEACH-COASTAL COLLIER-
INLAND COLLIER-INLAND BROWARD-METRO BROWARD-INLAND MIAMI DADE-
METRO MIAMI DADE-MAINLAND MONROE-COASTAL PALM BEACH-
COASTAL BROWARD-COASTAL MIAMI DADE-FAR SOUTH MIAMI DADE-
915 PM EDT THU APR 30 2009

...VISIBILITY RESTRICTIONS FROM WILDFIRE SMOKE IN COLLIER COUNTY...
...HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS CONTINUES AT THE ATLANTIC BEACHES...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTH FLORIDA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

VISIBILITY: RESTRICTIONS IN VISIBILITY WILL CONTINUE NEAR THE
WILDFIRE OVER CENTRAL RURAL COLLIER COUNTY, ESPECIALLY ALONG STATE
ROUTE 29 AND ALLIGATOR ALLEY. VISIBILITIES COULD FALL TO A QUARTER
OF A MILE OR LESS ACROSS THIS AREA, ESPECIALLY TOWARDS DAWN FRIDAY.

RIP CURRENTS: EAST WINDS NEAR 15 MPH ACROSS THE ATLANTIC WATERS WILL
CONTINUE TO RESULT IN A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS AT THE ATLANTIC
BEACHES. SWIMMING IS NOT RECOMMENDED...AS STRONG RIP CURRENTS ARE
LIKELY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

MODERATE EASTERLY WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND, WITH AN
ELEVATED RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST BEACHES.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

FOR MORE INFORMATION...VISIT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
MIAMI WEBSITE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MIAMI.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

15 drought, 1 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Coastal Broward County

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Coastal Broward County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.152, -80.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Coastal Collier County

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Coastal Collier County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.099, -81.381 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Coastal Miami-Dade County

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Coastal Miami-Dade County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
25.609, -80.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Coastal Palm Beach County

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Coastal Palm Beach County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.648, -80.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Far South Miami-Dade County

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Far South Miami-Dade County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
25.609, -80.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Glades

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Glades forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.957, -81.189 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Hendry

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Hendry forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.554, -81.166 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Inland Broward County

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Inland Broward County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.152, -80.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Inland Collier County

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Inland Collier County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.099, -81.381 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Inland Miami-Dade

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Inland Miami-Dade forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
25.609, -80.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Inland Palm Beach County

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Inland Palm Beach County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.648, -80.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Mainland Monroe

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Mainland Monroe forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
25.557, -80.917 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Metro Broward County

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Metro Broward County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.152, -80.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Metro Palm Beach County

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Metro Palm Beach County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.648, -80.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Drought, Metropolitan Miami-Dade

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 26, 7:00 AM EST
Where
Metropolitan Miami-Dade forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
25.609, -80.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The drought which began during the late winter months continued into early and mid May over South Florida. A very dry start to the month prompted the issuance of extreme drought (D3) conditions over virtually all of South Florida by the middle of the month.

The onset of the rainy season around May 11 brought copious rainfall to the region as a low pressure trough in the upper levels of the atmosphere set up near South Florida, effectively ending the drought by the last week of May. Many areas received in excess of 10 inches of rain for the month, virtually all of it falling in a period of only 2 weeks. West Palm Beach recorded its second wettest May on record with 15.69 inches of rain.

Wildfire, Inland Collier County

When
May 1, 12:00 AM EST to May 9, 5:30 PM EST
Where
Inland Collier County forecast zone
Reported by
Park/Forest Service
Coordinates
26.099, -81.381 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The wildfire in the East Hinson Marsh area of Big Cypress National Preserve which began on April 22 was fully contained as of May 9th. A total of 30,005 acres was burned. No damage to property was noted as the fire burned over wooded areas, however the proximity of the fire to I-75 (Alligator Alley) and SR 29 caused numerous periods of road closures, especially during the late night and early morning hours due to very thick smoke.

What these are

Drought
A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.
Wildfire
A fire burning in wildland vegetation, with its acreage and damage where known.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Florida in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, May 2009

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 175553, 175554, 175555, 175557, 175559, 175561, 175562, 175563, 175564, 175565, 175567, 175575, 175576, 175577, 175578, 175580.