Treasure Coast Braces for Floods as Storms Stall, Dumping Up to 7 Inches

The morning broke gray and wet along the Fort Pierce waterfront Monday, and forecasters say the worst of it isn't over yet. A Flood Watch is in effect for all three Treasure Coast counties through 8 p.m. today.

The National Weather Service office in Melbourne issued the watch at 1:58 a.m., covering Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties. A stalled frontal boundary parked over the region is the culprit, with weak low pressure developing along it and funneling slow-moving rain bands onshore, forecasters said.

Rainfall totals of two to four inches are the most likely outcome for most of the area, but isolated locations could see five to seven inches before the watch expires, National Weather Service data shows. That kind of concentrated, slow-draining rainfall raises real flood risk for rivers, creeks, drainage canals, and the low-lying neighborhoods that line them throughout the Treasure Coast.

TODAY: Periods of heavy rain likely, with embedded downpours possible. High near 76 degrees. Rain chance: 80%.

TONIGHT: Showers diminish after 8 p.m. as the watch expires. Low near 66 degrees.

THIS WEEK: A drier pattern is expected to rebuild Tuesday and Wednesday as the stalled front lifts northward. Rain chances drop to 20 to 30% by midweek. No significant storm system is indicated through the remainder of the week.

ON THE WATER: Small craft should stay tied up today. Wind-driven rain and reduced visibility make coastal navigation hazardous. Drainage outflows from swollen canals and the North Fork of the St. Lucie River will push murky, debris-laden water into nearshore areas. Anglers fishing the Indian River Lagoon or Fort Pierce Inlet should expect degraded water clarity and strong tidal push from runoff. Save the offshore run for Tuesday.

⚠️ ALERTS: FLOOD WATCH — Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties. In effect until 8 p.m. EDT Monday, April 7. Issued by NWS Melbourne. Excessive runoff may cause flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and low-lying areas. Residents near flood-prone locations should monitor conditions and avoid low water crossings.

Residents can monitor real-time river and creek gauges through the National Weather Service at weather.gov/safety/flood.

This article was generated with AI assistance using publicly available information. It was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication. TC Sentinel uses AI writing tools in accordance with FTC guidelines.