Florida voters on the Space Coast woke up to soggy streets and new directions to the polls Tuesday. A torrent of rain that dumped as much as 22 inches on parts of south Brevard County in roughly a day forced election officials to move voting sites before the 7 a.m. opening.

The National Weather Service said 16 to 22 inches fell across southeast Brevard and northeast Indian River County, soaking Palm Bay, Melbourne, Malabar, Sebastian and nearby towns. One local forecaster described it as the kind of flood expected once in a thousand years. A flood watch was set to stay in place until midmorning.

Eight Brevard precincts relocated

Brevard Supervisor of Elections Tim Bobanic moved eight precincts to drier ground, citing the safety of poll workers and voters in what he called unprecedented conditions. Four precincts now vote at New Shiloh Christian Center on Sarno Road in Melbourne. Three more shifted to the Joseph N. Davis Community Center. Precinct 517 moved to the Palm Bay City Hall council chambers. Officials warned more changes are possible.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey said every resident will get a chance to vote. Mail ballots still must arrive by 7 p.m. Tuesday. The main elections office in Viera stayed open for drop-offs, while branch offices in Titusville, Melbourne and Palm Bay were closed.

Neighboring counties also adjust

The shuffle stretched down the coast. Indian River County sent Precinct 7 voters to the Sebastian Elks Lodge and Precinct 26 voters to the Intergenerational Recreation Center in Vero Beach. Palm Beach County moved two precincts, Martin County shifted a Stuart site to the elections office on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. St. Lucie County announced temporary changes of its own. Voters should go straight to their newly assigned locations, where signs will point the way.

An emergency order from Gov. Ron DeSantis covers seven counties, including Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin. His order lets election supervisors use substitute procedures with state approval if they cannot follow the normal rules for changing polling places.

Schools closed and water warnings

Brevard Public Schools kept every campus closed Tuesday. Melbourne put all its water customers under a precautionary boil water notice after a major main break. Crews in Palm Bay cut service to some homes when a second pipe failed. Deputies used high clearance trucks to reach people stuck in homes and cars. Officials expect standing water to linger for days in the lowest neighborhoods.

Residents are urged to check the county elections website before heading out and to never drive or walk through floodwater.