The storm system that tore through much of middle America this week is finally on its way out. But torrential rain has left parts of Florida, Alabama and Georgia under record amounts of water.
Weather forecasters had warned the region to prepare for rain, tornadoes and damaging wind gusts through Wednesday morning.
As much as 20 inches had fallen in Pensacola in a 24-hour period, National Weather Service meteorologist Phil Grigsby told CBS News. As much as 5 inches may have fallen in a single hour, from 9 to 10 p.m., NBC News reports. That’s more than the entirety of 2004’s Hurricane Ivan.
Significant rainfall totals from Florida #CoCoRaHS Observers pic.twitter.com/KpiRVUAMpp— Florida Climate Ctr (@FLClimateCenter) April 30, 2014
A section of the town’s Scenic Highway was wiped out, and two vehicles plummeted more than 40 feet off a cliff when it happened.
Flash flooding in Pensacola, FL is knocking out streets. @moneyries pic.twitter.com/PqGwRcOV5k— Stephanie Kay Sharp (@stephkaysharp) April 30, 2014
Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency to seek assistance from the federal government and activates the Florida National Guard, among other things.
At least two people have died as a result of the storm; both drowned in their submerged vehicles on the state's Hwy. 29, a local ABC affiliate reported.
TWO DEATHS CONFIRMED: Storm related drownings in submerged vehicles on Hwy. 29, via Escambia County Sheriff's Office.— WEAR ABC 3 (@weartv) April 30, 2014
Residents, sharing videos and photos that reveal the extent of the floods, posted, "Please stay off the roads!"
"Last night was like a hurricane and tornado all in one," Steve Olensky of Perdido Key, Fla., told CNN. His 22-foot boat vanished in the storm. "It was blowing and blowing, the rain was coming. It was just incredible. We've been through (hurricanes) Ivan and Katrina, and we've never seen anything like this."
Here's a before/after of Blue Springs Ave by Crescent Lake in #Pensacola. Arrows denote same house. pic.twitter.com/3MnzxQYorI— Tim Ballisty (@IrishEagle) April 30, 2014
Another picture of some of the flooding in #Pensacola from last night. pic.twitter.com/6f0V9BE2ZJ— Arice (@Bearlysoberr) April 30, 2014
In Alabama, local weatherman Bill Karins observed that the region’s Fish River was the highest its been in at least 60 years at 23.91 feet.
Residents of the area shared photos on Twitter that showed structures and vehicles completed submerged. “There are boats and cars floating down river. Even a house!” one tweeted.
Look at Big Daddy's Grill, now IN Fish River #alwx #Fox10WX #mobwx pic.twitter.com/BzLRCxcwGq— Bob Grip (@Bob_Grip) April 30, 2014
Home on Fish River - Baldwin County. Still rising. @spann pic.twitter.com/1rTGnON3GD— Holly Meek (@hollyjmeek) April 30, 2014
"I've never seen flooding like this, even with a hurricane, you don't see flooding like this," Orange Beach, Ala., resident Jim Paar told CNN.