Huge amounts of rain nearly shut down the state for 2 days -- What can we learn from this event?

I respectfully submit that bugging out must be planned for. Unless you've built an ark, sometimes there is just Too Much Water to stay where you are.

I would also submit that bugging in must be planned for. Sometimes there is just Too Much Water to leave where you are.

A key part of that bug out planning is to know the flood plane(s) in your area, and where your home is located in them.

One metric is the "100 year" flood plane. Many people think that this means that it will flood only once every 100 years. Statistically true perhaps, but if you live in the same house in that flood plane for 10 years, you have a 1 in 10 chance (or greater) of being flooded at least once. IMO, not good odds.

So, if you do live in such a flood plane, you really do need to be ready to bug out and be prepared to lose everything in the house.

It is my understanding that many areas now prohibit building homes in the 100 year flood plane, but that this is not universal and does not affect homes already in that flood plane.

Don't live or work in the 100 year flood plain, period. Be very careful about entering into water. It is often deeper than it appears.

If you have a flood plane, just fly away and escape the flood. (sorry, I am a born nitpicker, as you can plainly see...)

oops

This is why we prep.

and past experience in my part of Florida, is that those effected by fresh water flooding need more than 72 hours worth of supplies for the water to recede

1. It's not just the water but also what's IN the water (snakes, fire ants, alligators).
2. Know the likelihood of a flood in your area and the areas you travel. The US government produces flood maps. My house is on a 1-in-500 year flood plain but the houses a block away are in 1-in-100.
3. Keep your storm drains clean, don't dump lawn clippings down them.
4. Food, water, bug spray in your car at all times.
5. Don't be an idiot.
6. Don't let alcohol turn you into a drunken idiot.
7. A little bit of water can move a big car.
8. No matter where you need to go, you don't need to get there so badly to risk driving through water of unknown depth.
9. No matter how you want to impress your hot date, you don't need to drive through water of unknown depth. (coworker )
10. Endangering someone's life is not a good way to get a second date.
-Blast