MELBOURNE, FL, Nov. 2, 2026 — The heavy rain that brought a flash flood emergency to Palm Bay and West Melbourne on Monday spread flash flood warnings south along the Treasure Coast and across the state's Heartland by midday, according to the National Weather Service.
Indian River and southern Brevard. At 12:10 p.m., the Weather Service in Melbourne issued a flash flood warning for parts of Brevard and Indian River counties until 1:45 p.m. "Between 6 and 8 inches of rain have fallen," it says, with 3 to 5 more inches possible. It warns of "life threatening flash flooding" and lists Sebastian, Indian River Shores, Roseland, Sebastian Highlands, Barefoot Bay, Wabasso, Micco, Orchid and Wabasso Beach among the places affected.
St. Lucie and Martin. A warning for central St. Lucie County until 1:15 p.m. says 4 to 8 inches had fallen by 11:12 a.m., with 2 to 4 more possible, in places including Fort Pierce, White City, Saint Lucie West and Tradition Field. A separate warning for southeastern Indian River, northeastern Martin and central St. Lucie counties until 1:45 p.m. lists Port Saint Lucie, Fort Pierce, Stuart, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach and Sewall's Point.
Hardee, DeSoto and Highlands. The Weather Service in Tampa Bay issued a flash flood warning at 10:45 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. for Hardee, northern DeSoto and southwestern Highlands counties. It says emergency management reported 7 to 11 inches of rain had fallen, and that "multiple emergency management agencies have reported flooded roads, and water in or approaching homes and structures." Sebring, Avon Park, Arcadia, Wauchula and Lake Placid are among the places listed.
Rivers. The Tampa Bay office also issued river flood warnings Monday morning. It forecasts the Peace River at Arcadia, which stood at 5.2 feet at 8:30 a.m., to rise above its 11-foot flood stage late Monday afternoon and crest at 15.9 feet early Wednesday, which it rates as moderate flooding. At 16 feet, it says, up to 60 homes at River Acres flood. The forecast crest matches the river's 15.9-foot crest of July 8, 1974, according to the warning. The Peace River at Zolfo Springs is forecast to rise above its 16-foot flood stage Monday evening and crest at 16.6 feet Tuesday morning, a minor flood.
Flood watches from the Weather Service offices in Melbourne and Miami run until 7 p.m. Monday, covering much of Central and South Florida, and the Tampa Bay office's flood watch for Polk, Hardee, DeSoto and Highlands counties runs until 3 p.m.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management reminded residents of the difference: "WATCH: Be prepared! Flooding is POSSIBLE." and "WARNING: Take action! Flooding is PRESENT."
Launchpad's Brevard flood story has the latest on Palm Bay, Melbourne and West Melbourne.
Warnings are changing fast today, so check the Weather Service before you drive anywhere.
Sources: National Weather Service alerts (Brevard/Indian River, St. Lucie, Indian River/Martin/St. Lucie, Hardee/DeSoto/Highlands, Peace River at Arcadia, Peace River at Zolfo Springs); NWS Melbourne on X; Florida Division of Emergency Management on X.
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