Two people have died and hundreds have been rescued since Sunday as a severe storm brought widespread flooding to Palm Bay, Florida, according to Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina. The deceased victims were identified as Joshua Bennett, 34, and Archie Richards, 78.
Emergency crews utilized boats and high-water vehicles to assist hundreds of residents trapped in flooded areas, Medina stated during a press conference Tuesday. Some homes sustained significant damage, with one family reporting that 38 inches of water had inundated their living room. "That is devastation within our city," Medina said.
Officials cautioned that flooding could persist for several days as water slowly drains, urging residents to avoid submerged roads, fast-moving water, and downed power lines. The storm system, a low-pressure system over the Gulf, caused continuous onshore flow over Florida's peninsula on Sunday and Monday, leading to rainfall totals of up to two feet in southern Brevard County.
Flooding has also impacted St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach counties. State officials are collaborating with local leaders to assess the full extent of the storm's damage. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported rescuing over 60 individuals in Brevard County on Monday.
In addition to the destruction, the storm caused disruptions to daily life. Schools in the affected areas have been closed, and polling stations for the US midterm election were relocated due to flooded parking lots, as reported by officials and observed in areas like Magnolia Park. Persistent onshore flow is expected to continue bringing scattered showers with additional rainfall to Florida's east coast on Tuesday.
Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins visited Palm Bay to survey the damage and offer support to affected families. He expressed gratitude to first responders and community members who aided in the emergency response, noting the heartbreaking losses experienced by residents, including those who had recently relocated to the area and lost all their possessions.