Melbourne, Florida – A drenching rainstorm dumped 2.82 inches on Melbourne by Tuesday afternoon, breaking a daily rainfall record that had stood since 1990. Low-lying roads and intersections around Brevard County quickly flooded, disrupting evening commutes and prompting street closures.
According to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, the previous record for July 22 was 2.50 inches, last set 35 years ago. Today’s storm, which tracked north along the Space Coast, left standing water along US-1, Wickham Road, and several neighborhoods east of I-95.
Melbourne city officials urged drivers to avoid flooded roads, especially near the Eau Gallie Causeway and the downtown riverfront, where storm drains struggled to keep up. “Turn around, don’t drown,” advised Brevard County Emergency Management, reminding residents that just six inches of moving water can sweep vehicles off the roadway.
Flash flood risks could linger into Wednesday morning as saturated ground struggles to absorb the deluge. Residents are encouraged to check local alerts, charge mobile devices, and report any power outages to Florida Power & Light. Today’s rainfall comes during an already wet July, reminiscent of summer surges seen in 2021.
Showers remain possible through midweek as forecasters watch for more afternoon thunderstorms. Additional advisories may follow if ground saturation worsens.
