October 2, 2026
Key West sets Oct. 1 rainfall record as Lower Keys see street flooding
NWS Key West recorded 3.64 inches of rain on October 1, 2026 — a daily record that broke the prior 2.50-inch mark from 1943 — as street flooding closed county offices and a Friday morning Flood Advisory covered the Lower Keys before South Florida trends drier for the weekend.
The National Weather Service in Key West confirmed a daily rainfall record for October 1, 2026: the official climate summary lists 3.64 inches at Key West, flagged as a record that surpassed the previous October 1 mark of 2.50 inches set in 1943. NWS Key West messaging and Miami Herald reporting described a “bullseye” of heavy rain just north of Key West with local totals commonly in the 3.5–5.5 inch range Thursday, enough to flood streets, push water into businesses, and prompt Monroe County government offices in Key West to close over flood concerns.
On Friday morning, October 2, NWS Key West issued a separate Flood Advisory for rainfall flooding in the Lower Keys (including Key West, Boca Chica, Key Haven, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, and Geiger Key, and U.S. 1 between mile markers 0 and 9) until 11:30 AM EDT, warning of minor flooding in low-lying and poor-drainage areas with water over roadways after additional rain. That advisory is distinct from the Upper Keys Coastal Flood Advisory for saltwater/tidal flooding that remained in effect into Friday evening. NWS Miami also kept a High Rip Current Risk in effect through Saturday evening for coastal Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Looking ahead, Miami Herald coverage citing NWS Miami pointed to a drier stretch for South Florida over the weekend — roughly a 30% chance of showers Saturday and 20% Sunday — before rain chances climb again midweek. Even after the heaviest rain ends, standing water in homes, crawl spaces, and businesses can still drive secondary damage if materials stay wet.
If storm or street flooding has entered a Lakeland or Polk County property, Florida Restoration Specialists can help with water damage restoration and water extraction — call (863) 588-6617.
Sources: NWS Key West Climate Report for Oct. 1, 2026 (CLI EYW), NWS Key West / Miami all hazards, NWS Flood Advisory summary, Miami Herald: Key West record rain (Oct. 2), NWS flood safety.
