Severe storms take aim at Florida as persistent rain fuels growing flood threat

THE TAKEAWAY

• Another round of heavy rain is expected to douse Florida today, fueling a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat.
• The most intense rainfall will begin to fade later this afternoon, but the flood threat remains until Tuesday.
• 2 to 3 inches of rain is likely through Monday.

FLORIDA – Back-to-back historic rainfall events are hammering Floridawith parts of the state seeing up to 20 inches of rain in just 12 hours as millions face an ongoing threat of severe storms and dangerous flooding.

Radar estimates indicate 18 to 20 inches of rain fell in 12 hours just south of Palm Bay. According to NOAAanything over 15.5 inches in 12 hours makes this a 1,000-year flood event.

The historic rainfall has prompted emergency declarations and warnings across parts of Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Monday for seven counties to expedite resources and assistance to communities impacted by the flooding.

Brevard County was also placed under a Flash Flood Emergency, with the National Weather Service receiving reports of vehicles stalled in floodwaters around Palm Bay area. The emergency has since expired, but a Flash Flood Warning remains in effect.

Another round of heavy rain will douse Florida throughout the day today, as much of the state’s east coast is under a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood threat.

This includes major cities such as Miami, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Melbourne and Key Largo.

KNOW YOUR FLOOD TERMINOLOGY: WHAT FLOOD WATCHES, WARNINGS AND EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN

This comes as the region was already drenched on Sunday. Repeated rounds of heavy rain could quickly lead to flooding issues.

“The concern is that many areas along the Atlantic coast, from South Florida and the Treasure Coast to the Space Coast and Jacksonville, have already received significant rain,” the FOX Forecast Center said.

The most intense rainfall will begin to fade later this afternoon, but the recent rainfall has already left the ground more saturated than normal, keeping the threat of flooding in play.

ELECTION DAY WEATHER COULD BRING STORMS, FLOODING TO PARTS OF US AS MILLIONS HEAD TO POLLS

---

Widespread flooding is the greatest concern as rain totals add up.

MILLIONS OF AMERICANS IN FOR A PLEASANT NOVEMBER AS ABOVE-AVERAGE TEMPERATURES TAKE HOLD

Through Monday, an additional 2 to 3 inches of rain is likely, along with isolated flooding on Tuesday, when a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk is in effect from the Space Coast to Miami.

A coastal flood threat also exists as rough surf and dangerous rip currents are a concern along Atlantic beacheswith onshore winds producing waves of 4 to 6 feet or higher.

PORT ORANGE, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES – 2026/10/26: The Halifax River floods a street as well as boat docks. Coastal Volusia County was placed under a coastal flood warning as a combination of severe king tides, rough seas, and heavy rainfall overwhelmed low-lying shorelines. Persistent easterly winds and elevated high tides blocked natural drainage, inundating coastal roadways and causing localized flooding along Daytona Beach and surrounding communities.

(Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images / Getty Images)

School officials are already taking additional precautions, with Burrell College in Melbourne announcing the closure of campus for Monday.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

The wet weather and nasty storm conditions will persist before fading later in the evening, but impacts will linger on Tuesday as flooding will remain a concern.