Brevard Flood, November 2026: What to Do Now

If floodwater came into your Brevard County home on Nov. 1 or 2, do three things this week: photograph everything before it goes to the curb, get the wet drywall, flooring and insulation out so the house can dry, and find out whether you have a flood policy, because a standard homeowners policy does not cover rising water. A house that stays wet for more than 24 to 48 hours should be assumed to have mold.

What happened

Southern Brevard took one of the heaviest rains on record for Florida. In the 24 hours before 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, Grant-Valkaria recorded 23.6 inches and the Melbourne area more than 17 inches, according to the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network as reported by Central Florida Public Media. ABC News reported the totals were coming close to the state's single-day rainfall record.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey reported 204 high-water rescues. The worst flooding was in the Lamplighter Village community and Barefoot Bay, and homes and roads also flooded in Palm Bay, Melbourne, West Melbourne and Grant-Valkaria. Brevard Public Schools closed, polling places moved for Election Day, and boil-water notices were still in effect in Melbourne and Palm Bay on Tuesday morning.

The water is off most streets now. The damage inside the walls is still there.

What the cleanup looks like

One southern Brevard house that took floodwater in this storm is already dried out. A local restoration company did the remediation, and I was on site helping. The details belong to the owner, but the job followed the pattern most flooded homes here will need, so here is what that work looks like.

Floodwater is not the same as a clean-water pipe leak. It carries whatever was in the street and the canals, so anything porous it touched is treated as contaminated. On a job like this, the crew:

• Pulls wet carpet, pad and any flooring the water got under, plus baseboards.
• Cuts the drywall out above the water line and removes the wet insulation behind it.
• Cleans and disinfects the exposed framing and slab.
• Sets air movers and dehumidifiers and takes moisture readings until the framing is back to dry.
• Checks lower cabinets, doors and the air handler, since water hides in all three.

The order matters: photos first, then tear-out, then drying. A house dried with the wet drywall still in place can look fine for weeks while mold grows inside the wall.

This week, in order

1. Stay safe going back in. Do not turn power back on to a flooded room until an electrician or your utility says it is safe. Floodwater can carry sewage, chemicals and bacteria, so wear gloves, boots and an N-95 while you clean. See flooded home safety: power, gas and CO first.

2. Photograph before you throw anything out. Take photos and video of every room, inside closets and cabinets, and the water line on the walls. FEMA also says to keep small samples of carpet and upholstery. See what to keep and toss after a flood.

3. Get the wet material out. Carpet, pad, mattresses and upholstered furniture that soaked in floodwater generally cannot be saved, and CDC says drywall and insulation contaminated by floodwater should be removed.

4. Dry the structure, not just the floor. Fans and open windows will not dry wall cavities in Florida humidity. Drying equipment and moisture readings will. If the house was not dried within 24 to 48 hours, assume mold has started.

5. Report the damage to the county. Brevard County Emergency Management asks flooded residents to fill out its damage report form. It is not an application for aid, but it documents how many homes were hit, and any request for federal help depends on that count.

6. Ask for free cleanup help if you need it. The county's Volunteer Connection Portal matches homeowners with volunteer groups that remove mud, ruined furniture, wet flooring and drywall, as volunteers are available. 211 Brevard (dial 211, or text your ZIP code to 898211) is the disaster information line.

Insurance: flood is a different policy

A standard Florida homeowners policy excludes damage from rising floodwater. That needs a separate flood policy, usually through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer.

If you have an NFIP flood policy: report the loss now. FEMA says to submit a signed proof of loss within 60 days of the loss, even if you disagree with the adjuster's estimate, and that you do not need to wait for a disaster declaration to file a flood claim.

If rain came in through a damaged roof, window or door: that part may fall under your homeowners policy. Florida bars a property insurance claim unless notice is given within 1 year after the date of loss (s. 627.70132), and your policy may ask for prompt notice. See storm roof leak: tarp, document, and Florida's rules.

If you have no flood policy: as of Nov. 3, 211 Brevard said no FEMA money was available. File the county damage report anyway, and check fema.gov and the county Emergency Management page for changes.

CFDR is not involved in your claim with your insurer. This post is not legal advice; read your own policy.

Watch for storm chasers

Out-of-area crews show up after every Florida flood. Before you sign anything, look up the company's license in the Florida DBPR license search, get the estimate in writing, and read it line by line (how to read a restoration estimate). In Florida, mold growth larger than 10 square feet needs a licensed mold remediator (s. 468.8411).

Frequently asked questions

Is it too late to dry my house out? No, but it is past the 24 to 48 hour window. Plan on removing wet drywall and insulation and checking for mold rather than just running fans.

Will my homeowners policy pay for flood damage? Not for rising water; that needs a flood policy. Rain that came in through a damaged roof or window is a separate question for your homeowners policy.

Is FEMA paying for this flood? As of Nov. 3, 211 Brevard said no FEMA money was available. File the county damage report so your home is counted.

Get matched

Flooded in Palm Bay, Melbourne, West Melbourne, Grant-Valkaria or Barefoot Bay? Call or text Ryan at 321-420-7274 and he matches you with a restoration company. You pay CFDR nothing, and CFDR does not bill your insurer. CFDR is a referral service, not FEMA and not a contractor; the company inspects, does the work and contracts with you directly. See also flood damage cleanup, Palm Bay and Melbourne.