Cape Coral sees more than 150 cars flooded during El Niño rains, water eases drought

Many of the streets of Southwest Florida have been flooded in recent days as El Niño continues to play out this winter.

"You got over 3 inches yesterday at the (Page Field) airport, and that was a record amount," said Rodney Wynn, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "There were reports of over 6 inches of rain in some areas, like Cape Coral."

Monday's total was about a half-inch above the previous record of 2.59 inches for a Jan. 15 in Fort Myers.

Cape Coral was hit particularly hard over the weekend and on Monday.

The Cape Coral Police Department received 155 calls regarding flooded and stalled vehicles.

"It is possibly there may be more roadways flooded," wrote Cape Coral Police Department officer Mercedes Phillips. "Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV's) and pickups.”