Brevard schools reopen Thursday after flood
Bus routes may run late in areas still dealing with storm damage, while boil water notices persist in parts of Melbourne.
By Peter Graham ·
Brevard Public Schools will open all campuses on Thursday, Nov. 5.
The district made the announcement on Wednesday after assessing its facilities. This follows a period of closure caused by flash flooding that swept through the county on Monday. The storm overwhelmed local roads and homes, forcing a temporary shutdown of classrooms. Two residents of Palm Bay lost their lives during the event. Mayor Rob Medina identified the victims as Joshua Bennett, 34, and Archie Richards, 78. No official cause of death has been released for either individual.
Emergency crews worked around the clock to assist residents during the worst of the weather. Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rescued more than 60 people in Melbourne and Palm Bay. Their teams used rescue helicopters, reconnaissance drones, airboats, and shallow-water vessels to reach those in danger. In one specific instance, aviation crews retrieved a man who had taken shelter in a palm tree in Crane Creek. The storm prompted Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency for Brevard County and six other counties. This declaration activated state agencies, the Florida National Guard, and the Florida State Guard to help coordinate recovery work.
Not every campus will function exactly as usual upon reopening. Several schools served by the City of Melbourne water utility remain under a boil water notice through the end of the week. The district has placed additional safety precautions at those locations, though it has not listed which specific schools are affected. The notice stems from a water main break in Melbourne that lowered pressure for customers in several communities, including Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Melbourne Beach, and Satellite Beach. Some unincorporated areas also experienced the pressure drop.
Transportation, before- and after-school care, and after-school sports will all resume on their regular schedules. Officials have warned that bus routes may experience delays in areas still recovering from storm damage. Student absences related to the storm will be excused.
