At a Glance
- Parts of Sebastian and Port St. Lucie got about a fifth to a quarter of a normal year’s rain in 36 hours.
- The official gauges at the Fort Pierce and Vero Beach airports caught about 16% and 14% of a normal year.
- Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties are under a state of emergency.
- Lake Okeechobee rose more than a third of a foot in one day.
- Drier weather is due later this week, but El Niño points to a wet winter.
Parts of the Treasure Coast got up to a quarter of a normal year’s rain in just 36 hours. The storm hit from Sunday into Monday, Nov. 1 and 2. It flooded streets, closed schools and sent water pouring into Lake Okeechobee. Brevard County had it worse. Parts of the Space Coast near Grant-Valkaria got close to half a year’s rain, according to the same NOAA data.
How Much of a Year’s Rain Fell, Town by Town
The shares below compare rain in the 36 hours ending at 5 p.m. Monday to each place’s normal year. They come from NOAA MRMS radar and gauge estimates and PRISM 1991-2020 normals. The two airport numbers come from official National Weather Service gauges and cover Nov. 1 and 2.
- Sebastian: about 24% of a year, or close to 13 inches.
- Port St. Lucie: about 20% of a year, or close to 11 inches. St. Lucie West hit about 21%.
- Okeechobee: about 18% of a year, or about 8.5 inches.
- Fort Pierce: 16% of a year at the airport gauge, or 8.05 inches.
- Vero Beach: 14% of a year at the airport gauge, or 7.49 inches.
- Stuart: about 9% of a year, or close to 5 inches.
- Jupiter: about 8% of a year, or close to 5 inches.
A few small pockets in western St. Lucie County and near Sebastian came close to 30%. Both airports set daily rain records. Fort Pierce got 5.39 inches on Monday. That beat the old record of 2.24 inches from 1946. In Okeechobee County, the county’s fire chief said about 9 to 10 inches fell in six hours on Sunday. He called it a 1-in-200-year rain.
What Is Still Affecting the Area
Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties, plus four other counties. The order lasts 60 days unless it is extended. Okeechobee County is not on the list. St. Lucie County and Indian River County also declared local emergencies.
NWS Melbourne kept a Flood Watch for the coast and Okeechobee County until 10 a.m. Tuesday. A Coastal Flood Advisory runs until 7 p.m. Tuesday. Minor tidal flooding is most likely in Martin County. Rip current risk stays high. Forecasters say floodwater will drop slowly because the ground is soaked.
Many places are closed Tuesday. Martin County and Indian River County schools are closed. Port St. Lucie City Hall and city parks are closed, but voting sites are open. Check the events calendar before you head out.
The rain is also filling Lake Okeechobee. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake at 13.39 feet early Tuesday, up from 13.02 feet the day before.
What Comes Next
Rain chances stay at 50% to 60% Tuesday. Most places should get less than an inch. Thursday through the weekend looks mostly dry, with highs in the mid-80s. Forecasters expect a cold front around Monday, Nov. 9, followed by cooler air.
The bigger story is El Niño. The Climate Prediction Center says a strong to very strong El Niño is likely through early 2027. It could be the strongest one on record since 1950. El Niño winters often bring more rain and storms to Florida. Our storm preparedness guide can help you get ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much rain did the Treasure Coast get?
It depends on the town. Sebastian got about a quarter of a normal year in 36 hours. Port St. Lucie got about a fifth. Stuart and Jupiter got less than a tenth.
Is flooding still a concern?
Yes. Floodwater is draining slowly. Tidal flooding is possible, mainly in Martin County. Do not drive through water on the road.
Will it keep raining?
Light rain is possible Tuesday. Thursday through the weekend should be mostly dry.
What does El Niño mean for winter?
A strong El Niño often means a wetter, stormier winter in Florida.
