A tow truck and a trooper's car were both stranded on a flooded Florida roadway, with the trooper forced to climb through a window to get out.
Here's what to know
Officials declared a Flash Flood Emergency in Brevard County, where unusually intense rainfall flooded large areas and shut down roads, according to FOX Weather.
Melbourne recorded more than 11.5 inches of rain on its wettest day since records began in 1937. By Nov. 3, the city had already recorded its wettest November, surpassing a record that had stood since 1963.
Rainfall totals exceeded 19 inches in Palm Beach Gardens, while Okeechobee received 29 inches. Radar estimates topped 20 inches in some areas, with rain gauges reporting similar amounts.
FOX Weather said the downpour was a one-in-1,000-year rainfall event, meaning rainfall of that magnitude has a 0.1% probability of occurring in any given year.
More background
Hours of heavy rain fell over the same area as converging winds pushed air upward. The setup combined high pressure over the Atlantic, a weak low-pressure area, and eastward winds from the Gulf. With little to propel it elsewhere, the weather system lingered.
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The flooding disrupted activities that support communities' economic stability, closing schools, making roads impassable, and inundating businesses. People were also stranded in vehicles, and homes took on water.
The flooding came as Florida headed into its dry season.
Heavier rainfall and more severe weather can accompany cold fronts crossing Florida when a strong El Niño positions the jet stream over the state.
What's being done?
Affected Florida counties were under a state of emergency. As conditions worsened, flash flood warnings were elevated to a Flash Flood Emergency.
Across parts of the Space Coast, roads remained closed after the heaviest rainfall. Flooding also forced several Election Day polling locations to move and closed Brevard County public schools.
Only isolated showers were forecast for Brevard County, rather than a repeat of the intense downpour. Farther south, FOX Weather was tracking moisture expected to bring additional heavy rain to Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
"I don't even know where the road is, guys. The trooper is climbing out of his window. Tow truck is stuck," a reporter said while watching the stranded vehicles, per FOX Weather.
Where can I learn more?
Elsewhere in Florida, flooding has left homes underwater and roads impassable.
• Fort Lauderdale smashed its September rainfall record, with more heavy rain possible.
• Indiantown, Florida, residents demanded answers after four inches of rain flooded homes and cars.
• In Indiantown, residents blamed clogged drains for flooding that inundated homes and cars.
• Florida's king tides shut down part of A1A, threatening drivers' cars with saltwater damage.
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