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The May 2006 Gulf Coast Storm

Meteorological history
In the third week of May 2009, a cold front persisted across the eastern Gulf of Mexico into Florida, with a low pressure area located over the Florida Straits. By May 19, the low moved across Florida as the overall system produced rainfall across much of the state. It moved into the Gulf of Mexico on May 20, with a trough extending southward from the low into the western Caribbean Sea. The surface low was located beneath an upper-level low, the surface low

On May 21, a low pressure area formed in the eastern Gulf of Mexico about 275 miles (450 km) west of the Florida coast.

Impact
Between May 17 and 24, the system produced record-setting rainfall over central Florida. Daytona Beach recorded a total of 20.06 in during this time period, surpassing the monthly rainfall record of 12.66 in set in 1976. For three consecutive days, May 19 to 21, the daily rainfall record was surpassed, with the highest amount, 6.37 in, falling on May 20, surpassing the record of 1.1 in set in 1931. Numerous other daily rainfall records were set across the state due to the persistent storm. The heaviest rainfall during the event was in Ormond Beach, totaling to 27.06 in. On May 21, a record 9.88 in of rain fell in Ormond Beach.

On May 19, a brief EF0 tornado, with winds up to 65 mph (100 km/h), touched down in Seminole County. In Volusia County, Florida, a total of 619 homes sustained major damage or were destroyed while an additional 912 sustained minor damage. Damages in the county were estimated at $55.1 million. Crop losses in the county were estimated at $45 million, mainly from potatoes. The loss of crops was described as the worst ever recorded in the region. Nearly 20% of Holly Hill, a 4 mi2 (6.4 km2) was flooded. In Arkansas, severe flooding killed at least three people. On May 23, two brief EF0 tornadoes touched down in Alabama.

Aftermath
At least 50 residents in Volusia County stayed in Red Cross shelters after the storm on May 22. By May 26, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) set up disaster recovery centers in Volusia County.