The strengthening super El Niño in the Pacific Ocean could amplify more extreme rain events in Florida like the one during the Learjet 60 crash in Palm Beach County on Sunday, a Florida meteorologist has warned.

Shortly before the flight from Austin, Texas to the Bahamas crashed, the pilot reported precipitation and requested a climb and then declared an emergency, reporting a descent of 20,000 feet per minute.

The crash happened as extreme rain struck the region. A flood watch due to excessive rainfall was in effect through Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.