How Rainfall and Flooding Can Affect Your Underwater Fish Light System

At Underwater Fish Light, we’ve been in business for nearly two decades, and there’s one seasonal pattern we see every single year: after a major rainstorm, customers notice their fish lights look dimmer, even though the systems are still working just fine. The cause? Murky water.

In this blog, we’ll explore how rainfall, especially from intense weather events like hurricanes, affects water clarity and your underwater lighting system. We’ll also walk you through what to do if flooding impacts your light setup.

Why Water Clarity Matters for Your Fish Light

Underwater Fish Lights are designed to shine brilliantly and attract marine life night after night, but their performance can appear diminished when water clarity takes a hit. Even if your system is operating at full power, murky water will scatter and absorb the light, making it look dimmer from above the surface.

So what causes this murkiness? Let’s take a closer look.

How Rainfall and Storms Affect Water Clarity

1. Runoff and Pollution

Heavy rainfall, especially during hurricanes and tropical storms, causes massive amounts of runoff. Water from streets, yards, and other hard surfaces washes into nearby canals and waterways, carrying with it:

Fertilizers and pesticides from lawns
Oils and chemicals from roads
Trash and debris

All of this ends up in your water, creating a cloudy, polluted mixture that disrupts clarity and diminishes your light’s visibility.

2. Sediment Disturbance

Strong storms don’t just affect the surface, they stir up the bottom of canals too. As rainwater and wave action churn the sediment at the bottom, fine particles like silt, sand, and organic matter become suspended in the water column. This suspended sediment turns crystal-clear water into a cloudy mess, significantly limiting how far your fish light can shine.

3. Nutrient Overload and Algae Blooms

Rainwater doesn’t just carry pollution, it also brings in large amounts of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers and decaying organic matter. While these nutrients are natural and essential in small amounts, an overload can trigger algae blooms. These blooms turn water green and murky, and in some cases, they can lead to oxygen depletion that affects local fish populations. Either way, the result is reduced underwater visibility for your fish light.

The Added Impact of Hurricanes and Flooding

Storms like Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton have demonstrated just how quickly extreme weather can transform waterfront conditions. For waterfront property owners, the aftermath of hurricanes often includes flooding, especially in low-lying areas near the coast.

During a major flood or tidal surge, water levels rise rapidly, sometimes reaching above docks and electrical equipment. This can spell trouble for your Underwater Fish Light system, especially the control box.

Why Submersion Is a Problem

The control box on your Underwater Fish Light has small ventilation openings to keep the internal components cool. While that works great under normal conditions, it also means the box is not waterproof. If floodwaters or storm surges cause the control box to go underwater, water can seep inside and damage the electronics.

If you suspect the control box has been submerged, even partially, unplug your system immediately. Do not attempt to operate it while wet. There’s a risk the system could power back on unexpectedly, creating potential safety hazards.

Let the control box dry out completely before testing it. In some cases, it may still function temporarily, but the internal corrosion will eventually cause failure. That’s why it’s important to treat submersion seriously and act fast.

What to Do If Your System Was Flooded

If your control box was exposed to floodwaters, here’s what we recommend:

Unplug the entire system immediately.
Remove the bulb from the water to prevent additional wear or damage.
Allow the control box to dry completely in a safe, dry location.
Contact our customer support team at 941-391-5846 for guidance.

Depending on the level of damage, we may be able to walk you through the next steps, help with replacement parts, or get you set up with a new system if necessary.

In Summary: What You Can Expect After Big Storms

Murky water caused by runoff, sediment, and algae blooms can reduce the visibility of your fish light—even if it’s working perfectly.
Flooding can damage your system’s control box if it becomes submerged. Always unplug and dry the system before further use.
If your area is expecting a strong storm or hurricane, it’s smart to unplug your system, remove the bulb from the water, and store the control box in a dry location as a precaution.

Need Help? We’re Here for You

We understand how unpredictable coastal weather can be. At Underwater Fish Light, our team is always ready to help you troubleshoot, replace, or upgrade your system if it’s been impacted by a storm. Don’t hesitate to give us a call at 941-391-5846 or visit UnderwaterFishLight.com for more information.

Stay safe, and keep your dock glowing bright, no matter the weather!