St. Johns River Flooding Threatens Jacksonville After Melbourne Rain Deluge

More than 200,000 residents in Melbourne, West Melbourne, and Palm Bay faced life-threatening flash flooding on November 2. The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency after the area recorded over one foot of rainfall. Meteorologist Jessie Schaper of the NWS Melbourne office said the event has set up a secondary flooding threat for major cities along the St. Johns River Basin, including Jacksonville, that could last for several weeks.

Schaper described the November 2 event as a 1-in-1,000-year occurrence. Her neighborhood in West Melbourne received about 18 inches of rain, flooding the entire area. By early Tuesday morning, locations one mile north of Grant-Valkaria and Malabar had each received over two feet of precipitation.

Although the heavy rain has stopped, Schaper warns that the flooding risk persists. Water from the affected areas in Palm Bay, Melbourne, and West Melbourne is draining into the St. Johns River. This water flows northward, causing river levels to continue rising. Schaper noted that the river drains a large area, which contributes to the sustained rise in water levels.

In Melbourne, it took three days for floodwaters to recede. Schaper said standing water may remain in Palm Bay and Grant-Valkaria. She explained that floodwater recedes slowly in Florida because the terrain is flat, causing water to move to the lowest ground levels rather than draining quickly.

Schaper emphasized the safety mantra "Turn around, don’t drown." She warned that driving through floodwater is dangerous because drivers cannot see how deep the water is or if roads have been washed away. In the Melbourne and Palm Bay areas, some roads were completely gone, a fact that was not known until the waters receded. Schaper also observed cars becoming stranded and submerged during the event.

Walking in floodwater carries its own risks, including bacteria, downed power lines, and alligators. Law enforcement advised residents in Melbourne not to leave their homes during the event due to road closures, even though no formal evacuation orders were issued. Schaper recommended that residents follow law enforcement recommendations if evacuation orders are issued in the future. She advised taking longer, alternate routes to allow for extra travel time.

For those in multi-story homes, moving to a higher level may be necessary during a flash flood. Schaper advised residents of one-story homes to use an attic if available, or to climb to the highest space in the home. She recalled hearing of residents evacuating to their kitchen countertops when water entered their homes. The floodwater came within a quarter of an inch of seeping into her own home.

Public works crews are currently repairing washed-out roads. Schaper warned that some road closures may remain in place, urging commuters to use alternate routes. She encouraged residents to check if they live in a flood zone, noting that areas outside designated zones can still experience major flooding events every 200, 500, or 1,000 years. Residents are also advised to store water, flashlights, and other necessities on higher ground levels.

Schaper suggested monitoring water intrusion from garages and exterior doors to keep homes safe during flooding events. Residents can also sign up for emergency alerts from Brevard Emergency Management to receive notifications on their phones.