November 2023 Central Florida floods

November 2023 Central Florida floods
Storm system responsible for the floods seen from satellite on November 16, 2023
Meteorological history
DurationNovember 16 – 17, 2023 (2 days)
Flood
Maximum rainfallOfficial: 14.24 inches (362 mm)[1] Unofficial: 20.61 inches (523 mm)[2]
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
Damage>$62 million (2025 USD)
Areas affectedCentral Florida (Particularly Brevard County and Indian River County)

In November 2023, a significant flash flood event occurred in Central Florida after excessive rainfall struck the region. The hardest hit areas were: Fellsmere, which received 14 inches of rainfall, Vero Lake Estates, which received 11 inches of rainfall, and Palm Bay, which received 11 inches of rainfall.[3][4]

The flood in November 2023 was the most significant in Fellsmere's history, breaking previous rainfall records.[5] 24-hour rainfall records for November were also broken in Lake Mary, Sanford, and Palm Bay.[6]

Flood event

Meteorological synopsis

On November 15, 2023, as an upper trough approached the state, a mesoscale low pressure formed south of Miami. This low pressure drifted towards the Bahamas before being picked up by the upper trough and stalling over east central Florida. In the late afternoon of November 16, a line of storms began to develop from the low and moved around 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h).[4]

Flooding timeline

A flood watch was issued at 11:00 (EST) for Indian River and Brevard counties.[7] At around 17:00 (EST), a strong storm developed about 7 miles NW of Fellsmere, moving south at 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h). The storm stalled near the intersection of I-95 and C.R. 512 in Vero Lake Estates around 19:00 (EST).[8]

The storm dropped an estimated 5 inches (130 mm) of rain per hour according to the National Weather Service. A Flash Flood Warning was never issued despite the extreme rainfall rates and flooding that occurred. Instead, a flood advisory and later a flood warning were issued.[4]

At the same time, heavy rainfall was occurring to the northwest in Orange County and Seminole County which triggered flood advisories and flood warnings for areas around the St. Johns River.[6]

Early on November 17, the Indian River County Emergency Management Services reported ‘catastrophic’ flooding conditions in Vero Lake Estates.[9] Early on November 17, the flood warning was extended for the area due to ongoing flooding.

The St. Johns River at Astor in Lake County overflowed and flooded the community due to heavy rainfall, which continued through November 20.[10]

Impact

Total damage estimates for the floods exceed $62 million.[5]

Brevard County

Palm Bay

In Palm Bay rainfall totals exceeded 11 inches, with unofficial estimates as high as 20 inches of rainfall. More than 40 cars were stranded in Palm Bay by floodwaters.[6][8][4]

Indian River County

Fellsmere

In Fellsmere, there was significant damage in the downtown area due to the floods. The iconic Marsh Landing restaurant on Broadway Street was damaged in the floods. Four vehicles became stranded near the restaurant, leading to a high water rescue taking place.[11][5]

Pennsylvania Avenue and Broadway Street, two major roads in downtown Fellsmere, were closed during the flooding. Sections of County Road 512 were also closed due to flooding. Parts of Fellsmere were flooded by as much as 3 feet of water. [12][9]

Several homes were flooded as well. The Fellsmere Elementary School was closed on November 17 due to the flooding.[13] Eight residents were left displaced by the floodwaters and The American Red Cross assisted in the relief efforts.[14]

Vero Lake Estates

Vero Lake Estates, (known as VLE locally), was also significantly impacted by the floods. Parts of VLE received up to 11 inches of rainfall on November 16.[9] Multiple vehicles were lifted and carried away by the floodwaters.[4]

Many ditches also overflowed during the floods. In parts of the community, it took as many as four days for the flooding to recede.[15][16]

The lack of paved roads in the neighborhood likely played a role in the severe flooding.[17] Two main roads in VLE, 101st avenue and 87th street, were closed on November 17 as a result of the floodwaters.[9]

Osceola County

St. Cloud

In St. Cloud 8.03 inches of rain fell on November 16, which caused flash flooding to occur near the city along the Kissimmee River.[4][6][8]

Orange County

Orlando

At the Orlando International Airport, 3.48 inches of rain fell which was the fifth wettest day on record for November.[6] An automated rain gauge in Orlando recorded 6.24 inches of rain on November 16.[18]

Seminole County

Sanford

Sanford broke its previous 24-hour rainfall total for November, reaching 7.09 inches of rain. Minor flooding occurred near Lake Jesup.[4][6]

Lake Mary

Like in Sanford, the 24-hour rainfall record for November was broken in Lake Mary, reaching 9.49 inches of rainfall between 07:00 (EST) on November 16 and 07:00 (EST) on November 17. This was the highest rainfall total recorded in the county from this storm system.[6]

Lake County

In eastern Lake County, the St. Johns River at Astor overflowed its banks and severely flooded the community. A flood warning was issued for the area on November 15.[10] The river crested at 3.04 feet in moderate flood stage, a historic crest for the area.[19]

Volusia County

7.53 inches of rain fell in DeLand, however no flooding was reported in the city. Several other significant rainfall totals occurred in Volusia County, with 7.24 inches of rain in De Leon Springs, and 7.14 inches of rain in Port Orange.[18]

Aftermath

Fellsmere has had a long, destructive history of flooding. There have been minor floods in September 2022, November 2022, and July 2023, with major floods in September 2017 and November 2023.[20]

Many residents have criticized the drainage system of the city of Fellsmere as playing a key role in the flooding.[21][22] In 2024, the city of Fellsmere invested $1.3 million to improve canals, preventing further flooding. [23]

Fellsmere is a rural and agricultural community. Many farms lost crops in the flood, as the flood occurred during harvesting season.[24]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nov 16, 2023 East Central Florida Heavy Rain & Flooding". December 4, 2023.
  2. ^ "Historic rain event sets records in Central Florida, causes major flooding along coast | FOX 35 Orlando".
  3. ^ Jones, Kaila. "Areas of Indian River County experienced flooding Friday after heavy rain fall". Treasure Coast. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Meteorologist, National Weather Service | Melbourne, FL | Prepared By Jared Heil (December 4, 2023). "Nov 16, 2023 East Central Florida Heavy Rain & Flooding". ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved April 13, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b c Slater, Nick. ""It happened so fast": Areas of Indian River County pounded by rain, left with flooding". Treasure Coast. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Historic rain event sets records in Central Florida, causes major flooding along coast | FOX 35 Orlando". www.fox35orlando.com. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  7. ^ "Fox29 First Alert Weather Forecast: November 15, 2023". www.wflx.com. November 15, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "mlbdata". www.weather.gov. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d Greenlee, Will. "Up to 14 inches of rain floods Fellsmere, Vero Lake Estates". Treasure Coast. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Roberts, Treasure (November 16, 2023). "Flooding concerns heighten for homes along the St. Johns River". WKMG. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  11. ^ "Heavy rains flood Fellsmere streets, strand drivers". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. November 17, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  12. ^ Huberman, Dylan (November 17, 2023). "'It's dark, it's raining, I can't see': Fellsmere residents caught in Thursday downpour shocked by flooding". WPEC. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  13. ^ Califano, Caleb (November 17, 2023). "Fellsmere residents grapple with heavy flooding". WPBF. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  14. ^ Tiwari, Ananya; Jones, Kaila. "Red Cross assists eight in still-flooded Fellsmere following rain deluge". Treasure Coast. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  15. ^ Nam, Sooji (November 17, 2023). "'Never seen it this bad': Vero Beach residents dealing with flooding after overnight storms". WPBF. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  16. ^ "Vero Lake Estates resident says flooding is 'most I've seen'". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. November 18, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  17. ^ Hodges, Andy (November 17, 2023). "Indian River County Battles Severe Floods; Roads Closed, Repairs Underway". Sebastian Daily. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  18. ^ a b "National Weather Service Raw Text Product".
  19. ^ "Saint Johns River at Astor".
  20. ^ "Flood Data | Fellsmere FL". www.cityoffellsmere.org. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  21. ^ "Fellsmere residents angry about drainage issues". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. December 3, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  22. ^ "'Some transparency:' Fellsmere residents still fighting to be heard after November flooding". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. September 10, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  23. ^ Slater, Nick. "Fellsmere Water Control District tapping reserves to spend $1.2 million on flood control". Treasure Coast. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  24. ^ Clark, Christine Anne. "What happens to your crops in flooded fields?". Crops and Soils. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
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