Saturday thunderstorm a real downer

New Smyrna Beach

Traffic was slowed by a heavy downpour 4 p.m. Saturday for
about 20 minutes on North Dixie Freeway in New Smyrna Beach.
NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Dolores French stayed indoors when the heavens rained down on Southeast Volusia just after 4 p.m. Saturday.

Twenty minutes later, though, the sun was back and the water receded. But in the interim, driving was a real splash.

Such is typical of the weather in the Sunshine State, especially here.

"It keeps the grass green," said French of Edgewater, who moved here four years ago from Boston. "There's one thing about the rain in Florida. It rains and then it stops. Then the sun comes out."

 

New Smyrna Beach

Large puddles built up quickly on North Dixie Freeway.

With the downpour over and the afternoon sun back in view, French took her chihuahuas Rico and Cheech with her to the antique car show on Canal Street where she met up with close friend Don Hastings.

The 66-year-old New Smyrna Beach man was so confident the rainfall was done he rode in on his 1960s Java motorcycle, made in Czechoslovakia.

"I kept checking and it wasn't very long," Hastings said of his wantonness to get out and ride his vintage bike with the downpour.

"We've been getting a lot of rain showers all summer, which is good, Hastings said, after-which French, the native New England-er, piped in: "No snow, which is much better.

Here is the weather outlook for today and the next few days, courtesy of Yahoo Weather:

Today -- Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight -- A few clouds from time to time. Low 74F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

Monday -- Partly cloudy with an afternoon shower or thunderstorms. High near 90F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Tuesday -- Afternoon thunderstorms. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the mid 70s.

Wednesday -- A few thunderstorms possible. Highs in the upper 80s and lows in the mid 70s.

 

New Smyrna Beach

Dolores French of Edgewater, stayed indoors during
Sunday's thunderstorm, but afterwards walked her
chihuahuas, Rico and Cheech, at Saturday's antique
car show on Canal Street.

New Smyrna Beach

Here is a close-up of Rico and Cheech.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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