MELBOURNE, FL, Nov. 3, 2026 — The heaviest rain has moved on, but Florida's flooding isn't over. Forecasters expect more showers across much of the state on Election Day, and rivers fed by this week's rain are still rising.
Today's forecast. "Scattered to numerous showers, some with heavy downpours will exacerbate ongoing flooding," the National Weather Service in Melbourne posted at 6:11 a.m., adding: "Do not drive through flooded roadways!" NWS Miami says showers and storms are expected across much of South Florida from late morning through the evening and that "localized flooding is likely." NWS Tampa Bay expects scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms in west central and southwest Florida today, more rain chances Wednesday, then drier weather the rest of the week.
Still under warnings this morning. A flood warning for southeastern Brevard, eastern Indian River, northeastern Martin and St. Lucie counties runs until 9:30 a.m., and the flood watch for much of east central Florida runs until 10 a.m. The Weather Service said Monday night that it'll take several hours for the water that's already fallen to drain in urban areas. Brevard Emergency Management reminded commuters at 5 a.m. that waters are receding and to "never drive through a flooded roadway."
The rivers. Forecasts in the Weather Service's river flood warnings, issued Monday evening:
- Peace River at Arcadia (DeSoto): 11.6 feet Monday night, just above its 11-foot flood stage, and forecast to crest at 16.7 feet Thursday morning, in major flood stage. At 16 feet, up to 60 homes at River Acres flood, the Weather Service says. The Weather Service compares that forecast with a 17.2-foot crest on Sept. 11, 2004.
- Peace River at Zolfo Springs (Hardee): forecast to crest at 18.0 feet this evening, the same as the June 17, 1947, crest, then drop below flood stage Thursday morning.
- Alafia River at Lithia (Hillsborough): forecast to crest at 14.5 feet early Wednesday, matching a Sept. 7, 1981, crest.
- Manatee River near Myakka Head (Manatee): forecast to crest at 13.3 feet early this afternoon, matching a July 24, 1967, crest.
- Horse Creek near Arcadia (DeSoto): forecast to crest at 14.4 feet early Wednesday, matching a Dec. 16, 1997, crest.
- St. Johns River near Cocoa (Brevard): 16.1 feet Monday night and forecast to reach 16.8 feet Thursday evening, with more rises possible. At 16.7 feet, water covers yards and may enter low-lying homes in the Lake Poinsett area.
- St. Johns River above Lake Harney (Seminole): forecast to rise above flood stage this morning and reach 9.8 feet Saturday evening; the Weather Service says rises near major flood stage are possible this weekend.
- St. Johns River near Sanford, DeLand and Astor: Sanford is forecast to pass flood stage Wednesday afternoon and reach 6.7 feet Saturday evening; DeLand is forecast to reach 4.7 feet Saturday evening; and at Astor, where moderate flooding is forecast, the river is expected to crest at 3.6 feet this morning.
At the coast. Coastal flood advisories run until 7 p.m. for coastal Palm Beach and Broward counties, with breaking waves up to 6 feet, and for coastal St. Lucie and Martin counties. A high surf advisory for Flagler and St. Johns beaches warns of 7-foot breakers until 4 a.m. Wednesday, and the Upper Keys have a coastal flood advisory until 5 a.m. Wednesday. Rip current risk is high along much of the east coast.
In the tropics. The National Hurricane Center's 7 a.m. outlook says a low may form a few hundred miles south of Bermuda and could pick up some subtropical characteristics late this week. It gives it a 10% chance of development in 48 hours and 30% over seven days.
If you're heading to the polls, check whether your polling place has moved (our list) and turn around at any flooded road. Launchpad will update as the rivers crest.
Sources: National Weather Service Melbourne, Miami, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Key West alerts and forecasts (Nov. 2-3, 2026), linked above; posts by @NWSMelbourne, @NWSMiami, @NWSTampaBay and @BrevardEOC on X; NHC Tropical Weather Outlook, 7 a.m. Nov. 3, 2026.
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