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Rainy Weather Dampens Local Economy

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Jun 2, 2009 8:24 am US/Eastern

Rainy Weather Dampens Local Economy

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Many businesses across South Florida have been chanting "rain, rain, go away" for about the last month as daily downpours have put a damper on their sales or jobs.  

From restaurants that offer outdoor seating to construction jobs and even car washes, all have been hampered by the wet weather. In the last month, South Florida has gone from the second worst drought conditions on record to topping our monthly rain totals. According to the South Florida Water Management District, May was the rainiest month on record with just over nine inches of rain in the 16 county district.

While the rain has become annoying to some, like tourists trapped in the hotels, it has become a business buster for others.

"We average 60 to 90 cars a day when the weather is good," said Luis Arosemena of the Magic Hands Car Wash, "But now with the rain, we're averaging about 20 cars a day."

For South Florida construction workers lightning, not the rain, poses the biggest threat.

"If it starts raining and thundering for too long we end up just calling it a day," said John Whitton, a construction worker with Peterson Beckner Industries. "We don't get our 50 hours a week, so we don't get our full paycheck."

Those businesses affected by the rain will not be getting a break this week.

It looks like Tuesday will be the best day for drier weather with only a 40 percent chance of rain in the forecast. On Wednesday the rain chance bumps up to 50 percent, with a 60 percent chance of rain forecast for both Thursday and Friday.

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