Residents displaced by flooding in Palm Bay, Cocoa and nearby communities have an emergency shelter available in Cocoa through the American Red Cross. The opening comes as torrential rainfall across Central Florida has forced people from their homes, shut schools and prompted emergency crews to carry out water rescues.
Southern Brevard County received between 16 and 22 inches of rain since midnight on November 2. Communities from Melbourne south to Grant-Valkaria have experienced flooding, with submerged roads and stranded vehicles complicating efforts to reach residents. Emergency crews have been stretched thin as rising water leaves people trapped in their neighborhoods.
At the Cocoa shelter, residents can receive cots, blankets, meals and personal care items without charge. Brevard County Emergency Management is working with local officials to arrange transportation for people who need help getting there. Residents seeking a place to stay can reach the organization at 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Janice Moran, executive director of the American Red Cross Central Florida Coast, said the organization is coordinating with local officials and faith-based groups to determine what residents need and provide assistance. The shelter is part of the response to flooding affecting Palm Bay, Cocoa and surrounding communities.
Palm Bay has been one of the areas hit hardest by the rain. Officials issued a shelter-in-place advisory after water overwhelmed streets and residential areas. Police officers and firefighters have evacuated residents using boats and high-water rescue vehicles. Some evacuees were taken to City Hall, which was used as a temporary gathering point.
Officials have requested more high-water rescue vehicles to support crews trying to reach people in flooded neighborhoods. Authorities are advising residents to avoid driving onto flooded roads or walking through moving water. People requiring emergency assistance should call 911 instead of attempting to travel to a fire station.
Further rainfall through Tuesday morning could aggravate the flooding already affecting the region. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, and some locations could receive another 1 to 2 inches of rain. Officials continue to urge residents to follow local emergency instructions and seek assistance when needed.
Drier air is expected to reduce rain chances from Thursday into the weekend. Daytime highs are forecast to stay in the low to mid-80s, while overnight temperatures will generally fall into the 60s and low 70s. A stronger cold front could approach Central Florida early next week.
