Driving in Florida? Be careful — these areas are seeing flooding

Heavy rain is causing flooding concerns across several parts of Florida Sunday, with some communities already seeing flooded low-lying areas and forecasters warning that considerably more rain could fall.

In Northeast Florida, the National Weather Service issued a Flood Advisory Sunday afternoon covering parts of Duval, Nassau and Baker counties.

Between 2 and 3 inches of rain had already fallen in parts of the area by late afternoon, with another inch possible. The National Weather Service said minor flooding was occurring or expected around Jacksonville, Jacksonville International Airport, Yulee, Macclenny and surrounding communities.

The Florida Panhandle has also been dealing with significant rainfall.

A Flash Flood Warning was issued earlier Sunday for portions of Bay and Walton counties after thunderstorms dropped between 1 and 3 inches of rain. Forecasters warned that another 1 to 2 inches could fall in the affected area.

Farther west, a Flood Watch covered Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. Multiple rounds of heavy rain were expected, with another 4 to 6 inches possible and isolated totals potentially reaching 10 inches.

The Big Bend and Tallahassee region have also been affected.

Flood Advisories were issued Sunday for Leon County and portions of Franklin, Jefferson, Liberty, Taylor and Wakulla counties as heavy thunderstorms created the potential for urban and small-stream flooding.

And the threat is not ending Sunday night.

The National Weather Service expects widespread rainfall totals of another 2 to 6 inches across portions of North Florida and the Panhandle, with isolated totals potentially reaching 8 to 10 inches.

Around Jacksonville, several more inches of rain are possible during the coming days as a stalled front keeps showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. Coastal flooding could also become a concern later in the week as stronger northeast winds develop.

Drivers are being urged to avoid flooded roads. Water covering a roadway can be deeper — and moving faster — than it appears.

With rain expected to continue into Monday and beyond, flooding could remain a concern across parts of Florida as the new week begins.