WEATHER NOTE: Minimal Tropical Depression Produces Record Rains and Unprecedented Floods

Abstract

A weak tropical depression moved out of the Gulf of Mexico on Sept. 19?20, 1969. With the blocking action of a surface High and in the absence of steering currents aloft, the Low became stationary on the Florida coast for approximately 48 hr. Torrential rains occurred in a small area 60?65 mi to the east and 50 mi inland from the point where the Low made landfall. Record-breaking floods resulted. The 23-in. maximum point rainfall was about 9 in. greater than the previous maximum rainfall of record produced by a 1924 tropical storm in the same area. The location of the area of maximum rainfall with respect to the point of landfall of the Low's center closely follows the pattern previously reported for the more intense hurricanes and tropical storms.