When it rains it pours! Just ask some of the older residents of Holt, Missouri. Many can still remember the day, back in June 1947, when 12 inches of rain fell in less than 45 minutes-a U.S. record! Sometimes it rains cats and dogs all day long. Here are the spots that got the most rain in a 24-hour period.

1. Alvin, Texas, 43 inches: July 25-26, 1979

2. Yankeetown, Florida,38.7 inches: September 5, 1950

3. Kilauea Plantation, Hawaii, 38 inches: January 24-25, 1956

4. Smethport,Pennsylvania, 34.5 inches: July 17, 1942

5. Dauphin Island, Alabama, 32.5 inches: July 19-20, 1997

Daily News from TIME for Kids

April 6, 2001 World Report