The Lake Worth Drainage District is running its canals at full capacity to move water away from southeastern Palm Beach County communities after a heavy rainstorm on Nov. 4, 2026.
The district said nearly 9 inches of rain fell in a few hours in parts of its service area, including Boca Raton. The district lowered canal levels ahead of the storm, but the extra space filled quickly. Its 500 miles of canals and water control structures are now recovering from the event, which the district described as an extraordinary, non-tropical dry season rainfall.
Emergency Operable Structures, which are used in communities that have them, will not be opened at this time. The district said those structures are operated only in rare, severe cases tied to hurricanes or tropical storms, and that opening them without authorization can cause serious flooding and water quality violations.
Streets will flood during this kind of rain, and the district said that is by design, since roads act as temporary storage to keep water out of homes. Water will drain gradually, but how long flooding lasts depends on future rain.
Residents should avoid driving on flooded roads. Communities are responsible for keeping private drainage systems clear of debris. The district is not an emergency response agency, so anyone facing a life safety issue should call 911.
