Two Dead After Florida Flooding, as Schools Close and Polling Places Move

Flooding disrupts Florida communities

Updated November 3, 2026, 5:12 p.m. Eastern.

Two people died in storm-related incidents in Palm Bay after heavy rain flooded parts of Florida’s Space Coast, city officials said Tuesday, according to WESH and FOX 35 Orlando. The flooding also prompted rescues, school closures and changes to some Election Day polling places.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said Tuesday morning that the county had recorded 204 high-water rescues since Monday morning, Central Florida Public Media reported. The rescue count is a snapshot from that morning and may have changed.

In Brevard County, the public school district said its schools and offices would close Tuesday, November 3, because of extensive flooding. The county’s supervisor of elections said several precinct polling locations were being moved and warned that additional changes were possible.

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency Monday for seven counties: Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie, WFTV reported. A state emergency declaration enables a response; it does not mean every neighborhood in those counties is flooded.

Roads underwater, residents rescued

In an interview Monday afternoon, Brevard emergency management director John Scott said some southern parts of the county had received an estimated 15 to 20 inches of rain, Central Florida Public Media reported. Those were localized estimates at that time, not a total for every community.

In Palm Bay, resident Brittany Grant told WKMG News 6 that rising water trapped her family in their home and that neighbors came to help after she posted a request online. She said she and her son were staying with a friend afterward.

Farther south in Port St. Lucie, WPTV reported flooded roads and stranded vehicles; police asked residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

At 9:20 p.m. Eastern Monday, the National Weather Service in Melbourne said a flood warning would continue through Tuesday morning’s commute because of standing water and ongoing flooding. Warnings are local and can change: check the weather service’s current alerts for your location.

Check your polling place

Brevard County election officials listed temporary moves for several precincts, including locations in the Melbourne and Palm Bay areas. Their November 2 notice said other changes could follow.

Voters should check their assigned location with their county supervisor of elections before traveling. Brevard’s office offers a precinct lookup and updates and says its Election Day polls are scheduled to open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Avoid a flooded route even if a destination appears nearby.

School closures and safety

The Florida Department of Education, in an update posted Monday evening, also listed Tuesday closures in Indian River and Hardee counties, and Tuesday and Wednesday closures in DeSoto County. Families should check their own district’s latest notices because conditions and plans can change.

The weather service advises people never to walk or drive through floodwater: its depth and the condition of the road below may be hard to judge. If flooding threatens you, follow local emergency officials’ directions and move to higher ground when safe. In an immediate emergency, call 911. NWS flood-safety guidance

Where the flooding was reported

The marker shows the approximate Palm Bay area in southern Brevard County for context. Flooding and emergency declarations extend beyond this point; the map does not identify an individual home or the full flooded area.

Approximate Palm Bay area. Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Open map.

Timeline

Times are Eastern.

November 2, morningBrevard schools cancel Monday classes as heavy rain and flooding affect the county, WKMG reports.
November 2, afternoonFlorida declares an emergency in seven counties, WFTV reports; Brevard election officials announce polling-place changes.
November 2, 9:20 p.m.NWS Melbourne says a flood warning will continue through the following morning’s rush.
November 3Brevard public schools and district offices are closed, according to the district. The sheriff reports 204 high-water rescues by Tuesday morning; later, Palm Bay officials confirm two storm-related deaths.