Rescuers saved more than 100 people from floodwaters across Florida's Brevard County on Nov. 2 after torrential rainfall flooded neighborhoods, submerged vehicles and left residents stranded in their homes and vehicles.
The National Weather Service (NWS) described the rainfall in southern Brevard County as a "one in a 1,000-year event." Some communities, including southeastern Palm Bay, Grant-Valkaria and Malabar, received up to 20 inches of rain over a 24-hour period.
The historic downpour prompted emergency crews to deploy airboats, kayaks and other rescue equipment to reach residents in some of the hardest-hit areas. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials rescued 60 people, while sheriff's deputies helped more than 100
others stranded in rising waters, local officials said.
The flooding also forced school closures, disrupted businesses and made numerous roads impassable. Photos and videos from across the Space Coast, a region in Florida around the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, show the extent of the damage and the challenges residents and emergency responders face.
See video of historic flooding in Florida
Florida residents rescued as floodwaters rise
At least seven residents were pulled from flooded homes in the Wingate subdivision in West Melbourne, with rescue crews using airboats to reach them.
Also in Melbourne, crews rescued three Florida Institute of Technology students after they were caught in a current while wading in a flooded retention pond near Crane Creek. Officers used ropes to reach two of the students, while a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission helicopter airlifted the third.
Palm Bay also experienced widespread flooding, with firefighters using airboats to check on residents and assist stranded motorists. Dozens of waterlogged vehicles were left scattered across the city.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey urged residents to stay home and avoid flooded roadways.
"We're seeing significant traffic crashes; we're seeing vehicles that are trapped in the middle of the road," Ivey said during a Nov. 2 news conference.
See photos of flooding across Brevard County
Images from across the county show floodwaters overtaking residential streets, surrounding parked cars and rising around homes and businesses.
The flooding affected communities from Palm Bay and Melbourne to Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach and Titusville.
The NWS warned residents of "extremely dangerous and life-threatening conditions" and advised against traveling unless necessary.
Brevard Public Schools canceled classes Nov. 2 and announced campuses would remain closed Nov. 3 as emergency officials continued responding to the flooding.
Officials said damage assessments and cleanup efforts would begin as floodwaters receded.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Historic rainfall hits parts of Florida. See flooding video, photos
