Historic Flooding Paralyzes Florida's Space Coast as Rescues Top 100

Emergency crews have carried out more than 100 high-water rescues across Florida's Space Coast after torrential rain flooded homes, stranded motorists and shut roads in Brevard County. The response continued Tuesday as residents assessed damage and officials worked to keep Election Day voting accessible.

The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center reported more than two feet of rain in southern Brevard County during the storm. Its Tuesday morning summary listed a preliminary total of 24.10 inches near Malabar, 23.69 inches near Grant-Valkaria and 20.60 inches near Palm Bay. Those figures are storm totals, not rainfall measured in a single hour.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey reported 204 high-water rescues and 2,100 calls for service since Monday morning, according to Central Florida Public Media. He said crews and volunteers with high-water vehicles had worked through the night.

Among the rescues, crews used airboats to reach residents in flooded West Melbourne homes. USA Today also reported that three Florida Institute of Technology students were rescued after being caught in a current near Crane Creek, with officers using ropes and a wildlife-agency helicopter.

The flooding disrupted Tuesday's voting. Brevard's supervisor of elections said six polling locations had been relocated because of flood damage, water or power problems. Voters should check the county elections office's current notices before traveling rather than rely on an older polling-place address.

Officials urged residents to avoid flooded roads and stay away from areas where rescue crews were working. The Weather Prediction Center said additional rain was possible along Florida's east coast. Drivers should not enter water-covered roads, and residents should follow local emergency instructions as conditions change.