As floodwaters begin to recede in Brevard County, the scale of the damage is becoming clearer: massive sinkholes, damaged homes, washed-out roads and entire neighborhoods cut off.
Palm Bay is among the hardest-hit areas. At least two people have died in the city, and local leaders say crews are now working to assess and repair damaged infrastructure as water levels drop.
At Palm Bay Estates, a 55-and-older community, a large sinkhole destroyed what had been a key connection for residents. Board President Terry Stuhlmiller said the flooding came fast and with overwhelming force.
“It looked like Niagara Falls over here at one point,” Stuhlmiller said. “The water just kept coming and coming.”
He estimated about half the community, or roughly 80 to 100 people, live beyond the area where the road washed out.
The flooding left behind large sinkholes across parts of Brevard County, swallowing sections of roads and damaging homes in some places while stranding residents in others. As water recedes, crews are getting a better look at hazards that were previously hidden beneath floodwater.
Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins visited Palm Bay on Tuesday to see the damage firsthand.
“This is heartbreaking,” Collins said. “It reminds me of pieces of other floods from other hurricanes.”
Collins also acknowledged the loss of life in the community.
“One loss of life is heartbreaking in a community,” he said. “We know we have two.”
Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina said the city has already identified emergency funding to help with the response.
“We’ve already gotten some emergency funding that we’re going to release from our own budget to make sure that the least impact on our residents is felt,” Medina said.
City officials are continuing to evaluate damaged roads, sinkholes and other infrastructure concerns. They are also reminding drivers not to go through standing water because washed-out pavement and other dangers may not be visible underneath.
Crews are expected to keep assessing damage and making repairs as conditions improve.