Massive storm is drenching Florida with life-threatening rain

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Massive storm is drenching Florida with life-threatening rain
(Image credit: Twitter)

The monster storm that spawned dozens of tornados and killed at least 35 people in six states is now tormenting the Florida panhandle with massive amounts of rain. In Pensacola, flash flooding swallowed the area as more than 24 inches of rain fell in a 26-hour period. At least one person died Tuesday night from drowning.

The rain snarled traffic and closed several miles of the city's major highways, leaving hundreds of drivers stranded for hours. Florida Highway Patrol officers said they're still checking on stranded motorists this morning and don't have an estimate of how many are stuck. The severe weather prompted Escambia County officials to declare a local state of emergency.

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Jordan Valinsky is the lead writer for Speed Reads. Before joining The Week, he wrote for New York Observer's tech blog, Betabeat, and tracked the intersection between popular culture and the internet for The Daily Dot. He graduated with a degree in online journalism from Ohio University.