BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Overnight storms dumped several inches of rain across parts of Brevard County, flooding streets, stalling cars and sending emergency crews to dozens of calls for rescues and water intrusions.
The worst conditions were reported in Titusville, but flooding was also seen in Cocoa, Merritt Island, and Port St. John. According to News 6’s Meteorologist Jonathan Kegges, Titusville saw 15.57 inches of rain last night, while Port St. John saw 14.67 inches of rain and Port Canaveral saw 14.42 inches.
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Fire officials said they received simultaneous calls for cars trapped in rising water and homes taking on water in multiple neighborhoods.
[Heavy rain slams Titusville as officials warn of hazardous conditions amid flash flood warnings]
“It’s the first time I’ve ever seen cars underwater,” said Titusville resident Judith Peña, who has lived through multiple hurricanes without seeing flooding this severe. “I’ve driven around after hurricanes and looked at water, and it wasn’t that bad.”
[WATCH: PIN from Kim Stephens in Titusville shows flooding in her lanai]
Titusville Fire Department urged drivers to stay off the roads overnight, warning that the wake from passing cars was pushing additional water into people’s homes and making the situation worse. Fire officials also said calls were being handled by urgency and asked residents not to drive around filming flooded streets.
Several residents told News 6 they watched water rush in so quickly they didn’t have time to move their vehicles out of the street.
“This blows my mind,” one resident told News 6. “I’ve lived here 30 years and never seen flooding like this. And it’s scary, if you needed to get out, there’s no way.”
[WATCH: Storms flood Central Florida. Here’s who got the worst of it]
Florida Power and Light is still reporting hundreds of power outages across the county following Sunday night’s storms. The county said, at the peak of the storm, some 2,500 power outages were reported.
Brevard County is asking homeowners who experienced flooding damage, but are not in immediate danger, to report it online at this website. Officials say the reports will help them track the extent of damage and could support future recovery efforts.
News 6 is working to learn how many homes have reported flood damage so far and will provide updates as they become available.
Cocoa resident Tom Rounsavall talked to Brevard County Community Correspondent James Sparvero about how the king tides preceding Sunday night’s rain have made for several weeks of standing water on Indian River Drive.
“This last month, the water has been worse than a hurricane flood,” Rounsavall said.
Monday, he cleaned his yard as cars drove through water on the road.
“As soon as it started to recede, we got hit with ten inches last night,” Rounsavall said. “So, it had been three weeks under water, just started to recede, and then, we had that.”
The city of Cocoa has also opened some sandbag locations for residents who need them.
They are at the public works compound entrance at School Street, west of North Wilson Avenue, and at the intersection of Rosa L. Jones Drive and Railroad Avenue.
Residents should bring their own shovels and bags.
Roads impacted by storms
Several roads throughout the county are flooded, washed out, or otherwise impassable right now, according to county communications director Don Walker. People should avoid these roads if at all possible.
TITUSVILLE/NORTH COCOA
I-95 southbound ramp at exit 220 (SR 406) closed because of flooding.
Indian River Drive: Several areas of the road between Blacks Road and City Point Road are flooded or partially washed out. Road is open to local traffic with a one-lane restriction.
Tico Road: Trees down in two separate places.
Cocoa area: Street flooding reported in Strafford, Victor Road, Shady Pines and North Indian River Road, with some areas underwater.
COCOA
Lake Drive: Large oak tree down, blocking the westbound lane, and a shoulder washout needs to be backfilled.
School Street: Flooding reported, but the road is passable.
Victor Road: Flooding reported, but the road is passable. No-wake barricades have been deployed in several areas.
Rockledge Drive: 2-3 inches of flooding in low-lying spots.
SOUTH MELBOURNE/INDIALANTIC
Neptune Court is about a foot underwater. “No Wake-Flooding” signs have been posted and crews work to clear storm drains.