Brevard County keeps Viera election office open despite historic rainfall

Brevard County officials confirmed Monday that the Supervisor of Elections office in Viera will remain open for voters on Tuesday, while the administrative offices in Titusville, Melbourne, and Palm Bay stay closed. The decision comes as heavy rains flood the county, with water levels rising fast in southern areas. John Scott, director of the Brevard County Emergency Management Office, reported that residents in northern towns like Mims and Titusville have received between five and eight inches of rain. He said the totals further south are much higher, ranging from 15 to 20 inches. Scott described those southern rainfall amounts as borderline historic.

The flooding has disrupted daily life across the region. Cars sit nearly submerged in some streets, and waist-deep water has forced several schools to close. Residents have adapted to the conditions by using kayaks and paddle boards to travel. Some are even pulling airboats off trailers to navigate the water. The Brevard County Supervisor of Elections Office said in a press release that it continues to assess conditions for polling locations. While officials anticipate most sites will open, they are monitoring the situation closely to ensure access for all voters.

Melbourne Police Commander Shawn Eising is stuck at home due to the water. He reported seeing water reach the side mirrors of a neighbor's Ford Mustang. Eising said firefighters are handling about 25 flooding-related calls on top of their regular duties. He noted that this is not a typical afternoon thunderstorm where rain clears within an hour. Eising expects the water to take days to recede in some areas, which could affect road safety on Election Day. He urged residents to remain cognizant of the potential danger.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey posted on social media that voters will have an opportunity to cast ballots regardless of the conditions. Ivey said if a precinct is inaccessible, election officials will project it out to another location. He emphasized that the county will help distribute that information to the public. Ivey stated that the goal is for everyone to participate in democracy. Both Eising and Ivey are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid flooded areas for now.

Residents are using social media to coordinate and prepare for Tuesday. Veronica Guzman posted about the importance of early voting in these circumstances. Esther Lyle Byrd reminded voters to plan for flexibility. She advised voters to check if their area is safe before heading to the polls. Byrd noted that the Supervisor of Elections office will adjust precinct assignments if necessary to accommodate voters in flooded areas.

Officials warned that even after the water recedes, structural damage may persist. Ivey said residents should watch for potholes and sinkholes. He noted that a road that looks safe to drive on might still be dangerous. Eising explained that stagnant water can suddenly rush if a canal caves in. He discouraged people from going out to play in the water because of the risk. Flooding can also create problems with septic systems. When floodwaters prevent wastewater from draining properly, it can back up into homes. Eising said this can cause houses to flood because of the septic system failure.

The Supervisor of Elections Office is encouraging voters to monitor its website and social media accounts for updates. On Monday afternoon, Central Florida Public Media reached out to Brevard Public Schools to ask whether schools would reopen Tuesday. The district had not yet responded. Eising said city, county, engineering, police, and fire departments are working together. They aim to open everything up once conditions are deemed safe so travel can return to normal.

The Viera office will be the only administrative site open to the public on Tuesday. The other three locations remain closed until further notice. Polling locations are expected to be open, but officials are continuing to assess conditions. Residents in southern Brevard are facing the heaviest rainfall. The county is preparing for a busy election day while managing the immediate impacts of the flooding.