Update, 7:15 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026: NWS Melbourne flood warnings for the St. Johns near Astor (moderate flooding, 3.3 feet at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday) and near DeLand (minor flooding, 4.0 feet) remained in effect overnight, with further rises possible into next week as upstream water moves north. See our Thursday river story.
TALLAHASSEE, FL, Nov. 4, 2026 — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday widened the state of emergency for this week's flooding to 14 counties, adding seven to the order he signed Monday as water from Brevard County's record rainfall drains into the St. Johns River.
Executive Order 26-228 amends Executive Order 26-227, which on Nov. 2 declared an emergency in Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties. The new order adds Glades, Hendry, Lake, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Seminole and Volusia counties. It's effective immediately and expires when the original order does.
The order cites two reasons for the expansion. It says parts of Palm Beach County, including the City of Riviera Beach, "witnessed record breaking, severe, and heavy rainfall of over 19 inches within a twelve-hour period," and that National Weather Service forecasts show "the St. Johns River will experience minor to moderate flooding which could last several weeks."
The Florida Division of Emergency Management announced the change on X, saying it "strengthens the state's ability to continue deploying critical resources, supporting local response efforts & helping impacted communities recover." WKMG News 6 reported that an emergency order frees state agencies to coordinate logistics and resources and activates the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard.
The river is the next worry
The St. Johns flows north from Brevard toward Jacksonville, passing Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties on the way, which is why those counties were added. National Weather Service Melbourne flood warnings in effect Wednesday evening showed the river rising along much of that path:
- Near Cocoa (Brevard): Moderate flooding is occurring, and the forecast was raised to major flooding by late this week, staying there into the weekend. NWS said that at 17 feet, roads flood and water approaches low-lying homes in the Silver Pines area.
- Above Lake Harney (Seminole): Minor flooding is occurring, with moderate flooding forecast and "rises near Major flood stage" possible late this weekend into early next week.
- Near Sanford (Seminole): The river is forecast to reach minor flood stage in the next couple of days. NWS said that at 6.5 feet, water enters a few lower-lying homes in the Stone Island and Stillbrook subdivisions.
- Near DeLand and Astor (Lake and Volusia): DeLand is in minor flood stage and could near moderate early next week. At Astor, moderate flooding is occurring, and NWS said homes near Wildhog and Bonnet roads become hard to reach.
On the west side of the state, NWS Tampa Bay extended warnings for the Peace River at Arcadia and Zolfo Springs, Horse Creek near Arcadia, the Alafia River at Lithia and the Manatee River near Myakka Head. Tonight's weather, at least, should help. NWS Melbourne posted that mostly dry weather is expected across east central Florida, with a high risk of rip currents at the beaches.
Palm Bay names the 2 people who died
In Palm Bay, officials have identified the two people who died in the flooding as 34-year-old Joshua Bennett and 78-year-old Archie Richards, WESH 2 reported. They weren't related.
"Unfortunately, we have also had a loss of life. We have had two individuals. 34-year-old Joshua Bennett and 78-year-old Archie Richards," Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina said, according to WESH. Bennett died when rising water trapped his car on San Filippo Drive, WESH reported. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office found Richards in his vehicle near Richards Lane and Hall Road on Tuesday, a day after a Silver Alert was issued for him. (Florida Today gave his first name as David; we're using the name WESH and ABC News reported from city officials.)
"That is devastation within our city," Medina said, according to ABC, which reported that one family found 38 inches of water in their living room.
Florida Today reported that at least 20 inches of rain fell in just under 24 hours on Nov. 1-2, that FWC officers evacuated 190 residents, and that there were 3,000 calls for service on Tuesday alone. "Many worked for 24 hours," Fire Rescue Chief John Ringleb said. "Right now we can't say how many people were affected by all of this."
FWC spokesperson Chad Weber told Florida Today the response "has moved from carrying out rescues to a recovery mode."
Where to get help
- Shelters: Florida Today listed an American Red Cross shelter at the Wickham Park Senior Center and a pet-friendly shelter at the South Mainland Community Center, 3700 Allen Ave., Micco.
- 211: The state says calling 211 connects residents with local help; if you use Wi-Fi calling, 211 may not connect, so look up your local 10-digit number at 211.org.
- Document damage first: The state advises taking photos before cleanup, including damaged belongings, high-water marks on walls and affected rooms, taken only from a safe location. Its post added that people should "never enter standing floodwater."
- Updates: FloridaDisaster.org/FallFlooding lists county emergency contacts, boil water notices and road closures.
River levels will change over the coming days, so check NWS warnings before driving near the St. Johns.
Sources: Executive Order 26-228; Executive Order 26-227; FDEM on X; WKMG News 6; NWS active alerts for Florida; NWS Melbourne on X; WESH 2; ABC News; Florida Today; FloridaDisaster.org.
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