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Flash Flood — Polk, FL

Dec 24, 2002

A strong cold front moved through the Gulf of Mexico and into Florida during the evening of the 24th. A squall line ahead of the front fell apart as it entered land and this produced bands of heavy rain. A 15 mile wide band of 4 to 6 inches of rain fell just to the south of a Tampa to Lakeland line. Other narrow bands of rain were observed on radar to the north of Tampa. The heavy rains washed out a portion of southbound Interstate 275 in Pinellas county and flooded seven homes in the southe

Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5325637). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.

Flood Risk Context for Polk, FL

This event is one of many recorded floods in Polk County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.

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