Florida finally asked Washington for disaster help Monday. Nine days after the water came up, Brevard families still can't apply for FEMA aid, the state hasn't said which counties it asked for, and the St. Johns River is still rising. Here's what has happened, what hasn't, and where to get help today.
By Joseph J. Jackson | PALM BAY (Nov. 10, 2026)
The short version
The request is in. The Florida Division of Emergency Management announced Monday evening, Nov. 9, that at Gov. Ron DeSantis' request the state has submitted a federal major disaster declaration request for the flooding in Central and South Florida.
But no FEMA help yet. The president still has to approve it. Until then, nobody in Brevard can apply to FEMA for aid.
The state hasn't said who's covered. Its announcement didn't name the counties or say what kind of federal help it asked for.
Help is open today. Two resource centers in Palm Bay and West Melbourne are open Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 211 for food, shelter and cleanup help.
What happened
From Nov. 1 to Nov. 2, a storm parked over southern Brevard County and wouldn't leave. Weather service totals reported by Florida Today included 23.69 inches in North Grant-Valkaria, 23.44 inches in east Malabar and 19.75 inches in Palm Bay. Two men died.
Palm Bay Fire Rescue says its crews rescued about 1,400 people, Spectrum News 13 reported. Sheriff Wayne Ivey reported 204 high-water rescues countywide on Nov. 3. County emergency managers say about 2,000 residents have reported flood damage to their homes and property.
What has happened since
Nov. 2: DeSantis signed a state emergency order covering seven counties, including Brevard. He added seven more counties on Nov. 4.
Nov. 6–8: Brevard County worked on damage assessments and asked every resident and business to report damage. On Sunday, Nov. 8, the county said it would compile that damage into a request to the state "over the coming days." The state said its own first assessments were nearly done and that joint assessments with FEMA were expected to start this week.
Nov. 9: The state announced it had sent its major disaster declaration request. "We remain committed to working with our federal partners to ensure impacted Floridians receive the assistance they need to recover," the agency said on X.
Nov. 10: Debris pickup starts in unincorporated south Brevard, and two resource centers open.
What hasn't happened yet
No federal approval. A major disaster declaration needs the president's signature before FEMA money can flow. "We do not have the FEMA declaration yet," a Palm Bay official told residents last week, Florida Today reported.
No FEMA applications. FEMA registration for individuals only opens after approval, and only in counties approved for Individual Assistance.
No list of counties. The state's announcement didn't say which counties are in the request or whether it asked for help for individual families (Individual Assistance) or only for local governments (Public Assistance). Last month, for Hurricane Isaias, the state named every county in its request. This time it didn't. Which counties are included, and whether Brevard families are covered for Individual Assistance, are open questions for the Florida Division of Emergency Management. FMNN will report the answers.
No direct cash yet from the local recovery group. United Way says the Brevard Long Term Recovery Coalition will announce how to request direct help, but hasn't yet.
The water isn't done. Water draining north is now flooding the St. Johns River. On Monday morning the river at Cocoa was at 16.98 feet, just under major flood stage, and the weather service said it may stay in major flood through at least Friday, Nov. 13. At 17.2 feet, water reaches homes near Lake Poinsett and in low-lying parts of Silver Pines in Rockledge and Shakespeare Park in Cocoa.
Where to get help now
Call first: 211, or 321-632-6688. United Way Space Coast's line for shelter, food, cleanup and other local help.
Resource centers, open Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:
Tony Rosa Community Center, 1502 Port Malabar Blvd. NE, Palm Bay
West Melbourne Veterans Memorial Complex, 2285 Minton Road, Melbourne
Both connect people with state and nonprofit help for food, water, housing, cleanup and assistance applications. Bring ID, proof of where you live, your insurance information and any records of what you lost.
Free cleanup help. Brevard County's Volunteer Connection Portal matches flooded households with volunteers for mud-out, ruined furniture, wet flooring and drywall. One request per household, with photos. Help isn't guaranteed. Request help here.
Report your damage. Use the damage-report link on United Way Space Coast's disaster page. This is what officials use to show Washington how bad it is. It is not an application for aid, but it matters: the more damage that's documented, the stronger the case.
Debris pickup. County contractors start Tuesday in unincorporated Barefoot Bay, Grant-Valkaria, Malabar, Melbourne, Palm Bay and West Melbourne. Keep furniture and mattresses separate from building materials, and keep piles away from mailboxes, water meters, trees and power lines. If you live inside city limits, call your city. You can also take debris to the county landfill for free.
Donations. United Way Space Coast (1100 Rockledge Blvd., Suite 300, Rockledge, 321-631-2740) and Community of Hope (1975 Palm Bay Road NE, Suite 106, Palm Bay, 321-474-0966) take drop-offs during business hours. Most needed: work gloves, buckets, trash bags, cleaning supplies, storage bins, fans and dehumidifiers.
If the declaration is approved. Watch for the county and city to post it. Eligible residents in approved counties apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Start now: take photos of the damage, keep receipts for cleanup and repairs, and file with your insurer if you have flood insurance.
Stay out of the water. Don't drive around barricades or through flooded roads, and be careful near riverbanks.
The bottom line
The request FMNN asked about has now gone to Washington. That's progress. But a request isn't help. Families in Palm Bay are still paying out of pocket, the state hasn't said whether they're even in the request, and the river is still coming up. FMNN will update this story when the state names the counties and when the White House acts.
Related reading
Sources
WPTV, "Florida requests federal disaster assistance after widespread flooding," Nov. 9, 2026
WFLX, "Florida requests federal disaster assistance after widespread flooding," Nov. 9, 2026
Spotlight Brevard, "After the Flood: Where Brevard County Residents Can Find Help," Nov. 9, 2026
Weatherboy, "St. Johns River Flooding Spreads North a Week after Brevard Deluge," Nov. 9, 2026
ClickOrlando, "South Brevard homeowners seek FEMA help 1 week after flooding," Nov. 9, 2026
Spectrum News 13, "Palm Bay begins recovery efforts as floodwaters recede," Nov. 6, 2026
Florida Governor's Office, Hurricane Isaias major disaster declaration request, Oct. 2026
Image: FMNN graphic.