Historic rains flood Florida: 20 inches in 24 hours and polling places relocated

Florida.— Southern and central Florida faced historic flooding on Monday after a weekend of torrential rain: the National Weather Service (NWS) reported that southeastern Palm Bay, along with Grant-Valkaria and parts of Malabar, received 20 inches of rain in 24 hours, which it called a "one in 1,000-year event."

All of South Florida remained under a flood watch on Monday night, with one to three more inches expected and up to nine inches possible in isolated areas, along with a risk of rapid flash flooding, according to the NWS.

In Brevard County, the hardest hit, public schools and colleges will remain closed on Tuesday, November 3, Election Day, while damage and building safety are assessed. The city of Melbourne issued a precautionary boil-water notice, and Palm Bay suspended service in some areas after a water main break. County Sheriff Wayne Ivy said the department is "inundated" with 911 calls from people trapped in homes and vehicles.

On the Treasure Coast, the Port St. Lucie area recorded 6 to 10 inches and the Sebastian area 6 to 9, according to NWS Melbourne meteorologist Zach Law, who said daily records were likely broken: the November 2 record in Vero Beach was 2.63 inches (2009) and in Fort Pierce, 2.24 inches (1946).

The flooding is also disrupting Election Day: officials moved several polling places in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties for Tuesday, and the Indian River County Sheriff's Office announced after 8 p.m. a voluntary evacuation in the Rockridge neighborhood because of flooding and possible wastewater backups.

The NWS also warned of another danger in standing water: Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, which thrive where saltwater and freshwater mix and which caused a record 82 cases and 19 deaths in Florida in 2024, mostly after flooding from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Officials urge people not to wade in floodwater with open wounds.

For Tuesday, Election Day, the chance of rain is about 60%, and a coastal flood advisory will remain in effect until 7 p.m. in Martin and St. Lucie counties, with surf of 6 to 7 feet and a high risk of rip currents.

Photo: The Invading Sea

Source: Palm Beach Post