Up to 22 inches of rain floods Florida's Space Coast, forcing polling places to move on Election Day

Election officials on Florida's Atlantic coast moved polling places for Tuesday's election after a deluge of up to 22 inches of rain flooded streets and neighborhoods in Brevard County and nearby areas.

The National Weather Service called the rain that fell on the Space Coast from Sunday into Monday "a one in a 1,000-year event," Florida Today reported. Southern Brevard was hit hardest. Grant-Valkaria recorded 22.78 inches and Port Malabar 21.8 inches, according to rain totals reported by WESH, and Melbourne set a daily rainfall record of 11.51 inches on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

In Palm Bay, fire rescue crews had been carrying out high-water rescues since early Monday, and dozens of cars were left stranded in floodwater, Assistant Chief John Ringleb told Florida Today. Officials warned residents to stay off flooded roads even as water began to recede.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Monday declaring a state of emergency in Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties. The Florida Division of Elections lists temporary polling places under that order in Brevard, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties, and says the list may change.

Brevard Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic said the moves were needed "for the safety and security of our election workers and the voters of Brevard," according to WESH. Brevard officials urged voters to check VoteBrevard.gov before heading to the polls.