Much of the Sunshine State isn’t getting much sunshine this week with rain pouring down across Florida, causing intense flooding in some areas.

Here’s what’s happening.

Rainfall

Heavy rain in Florida began this weekend, soaking the ground and setting up the potential for flash and coastal flooding as the downpour continued on Monday.

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More than 15 inches of rain has fallen in southern and coastal Brevard County, including near Palm Bay, according to radar and local observation stations. Radar data suggests higher rainfall numbers have occurred.

Preliminarily reports suggest this is the wettest day on record in Melbourne, Florida — even beating Hurricane Irma. As of 2:30 p.m., between today and yesterday the Melbourne airport has seen 13 inches of rain.

(MORE: There are two types of 'lows' meteorologists talk about. Here's how they create your weather.)

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A weak, but slow-moving low pressure system has stalled over the Florida Peninsula with a strong, moist flow off the Atlantic. Atmospheric moisture in this system, called a mesoscale convective vortex, is above average for early November. The MCV will drift westward and weaken through midweek, but scattered showers will remain possible for several more days.

Flooding

Flood alerts began late Sunday night along the Space Coast, eventually being upgraded to a flash flood emergency for Palm Bay and surrounding communities Monday morning as heavy rain continued to fall on top of the 15-20 inches that had already fallen. 

A flash flood emergency is the National Weather Service's top-tier warning for flooding, alerting residents to life-threatening conditions.

The emergency has since been reduced to a flash flood warning.

Several other flash flood warnings were issued on Florida's east coast, including one farther south for Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce, where up to 8 inches of rain has fallen.

(MORE: King tides send seawater spilling into streets, homes along US coasts)

A coastal flood advisory is also in effect due to potential saltwater flooding around high tide.

Impacts

Many roads and areas have become closed or inaccessible due to the flooding. Residents are urged not to risk driving through flooded areas, with reports of vehicles getting stuck and some even sinking, according to the Palm Bay Police Department.

Palm Bay Fire Rescue has converted all three of its new brush trucks into high-water response vehicles. These vehicles will help crews reach stranded motorists, navigate flooded roadways when necessary and maintain access to emergencies throughout the city.

The Port St. Lucie Police Department said officers are actively responding to a significant number of calls involving vehicles stranded in high waters.

Because of the dangerous conditions, Brevard Public Schools has made the decision to close schools for the day for the safety of its students, teachers and bus drivers.

And several public facilities, like Melbourne City Hall and Palm Bay City Hall, are currently closed to the public.

Content writer Ada Wood enjoys exploring the stories that science and climate teach us about our natural world and how it influences the way we live in it.