Yes the water floating method works fine but why did you have to wait for the rain to stop? I assume you might do this indoors instead of outdoors.

Its more of a question as to where to put the containers once the seeds are floating. Do the containers need to be outside for lots of light and heat or will a window sill or cover patio work just as well.

If you germinate your seeds in water, keep them in just room temperature water and don't put them in the sun. You can put a drop of hydrogen peroxide in to keep the water clean but I would still change it every week. Just on a shelf somewhere would be fine. Wait until the leaf and root is nearly 2 inches long (if you can wait that long) before you transplant them outside.

If it were me, and I had as many seeds as you seem to have, I would try them both ways. I wouldn't worry about the rain, they would need to be kept soaked while they germinate unless you're having so much rain that they might wash away.

Donna