THERE WAS TALK OF A MINI-DROUGHT, BUT WE DIDN'T NEED TO COME OUT OF IT LIKE THIS!

Some of the television weather pundits mentioned the phrase "mini-drought" to describe the lack of rain to date this year. Before yesterday, some areas were already approximately eight inches of preciptation below average for the year.

Then came yesterday.

As a cold front continues to slowly make it's way through Florida, an almost continious line of thunderstorms slammed into Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties, causing problems much of the day. Collapsed roofs, flooded streets --- and in some areas, flooded houses --- folks trying to maneuver through those flooded streets only to have their vehicles die. Not the best day to be out and about, especially with some areas in and around St. Petersburg experiencing a downpour of up to 15 inches.

While some of the thunderstorms did make it into areas of Polk County, here in North Lakeland we didn't experience what those poor folks did. Certainly, we got our share of rain, but not to the extent or severity our neighbours suffered. It's not quite over, though, as some more thunderstorms are expected to come through during the morning before a cold front pushes everything south. By this afternoon, we'll have clearing skies but the temperature will begin to drop.