Mayor Andrew Connors formally declared a local state of emergency Monday following a severe flash flood that hit the City of Titusville on Oct. 26, 2025.

The declaration, effective at 10:00 a.m. Monday, allows the city to streamline recovery efforts, including easing purchasing restrictions and potentially waiving certain administrative fees for affected residents.

Flood Prompts Mayor’s Action
“I have declared a State of Emergency in the City of Titusville following the significant flooding from yesterday’s storm,” Mayor Connors said. “We are mobilizing all available city resources to assist residents and businesses in the recovery process and will continue coordinating with our leadership in Tallahassee to bring in additional support.”

The emergency proclamation states that the severe flash flood occurred on Sunday, Oct. 26, and grants Mayor Connors authority under Chapter 8 of the City of Titusville Code of Ordinances to issue orders “immensely necessary for the protection of life and property.”

Sewage Spill Reaches Indian River Lagoon
The city’s response also included addressing a sewage overflow at a key facility. City Council Member Sarah Stoeckel provided an update, reporting that an electrical short approximately one hour before her noon update caused the pumps at the South Street Lift Station to stop running.

“Sewer Field Operations got the pumps restarted but an overflow of approximately 12,000 gallons left the station and reached the Indian River Lagoon,” Stoeckel said. The city plans to treat the ground contact areas and will file the required notice with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the State Watch Office.

Emergency Powers and Resident Assistance
The Local State of Emergency declaration allows the city to quickly mobilize resources and waive administrative items, according to Stoeckel.

City officials noted that the declaration may allow the city to waive specific building and permitting fees for residents whose property was damaged by the floods and require rebuilding. Details on the fee waivers are expected soon.

However, Stoeckel clarified that the current declaration will not qualify residents for individual assistance through FEMA, though she is looking further into that possibility. In anticipation of more rain, self-fill sandbags became available at the City’s Singleton Public Works Facility starting at 12:30 p.m. Monday.

Additionally, the city is coordinating with the local Red Cross to establish a shelter for residents displaced by the overnight flooding. Details on the shelter’s location and opening time will be posted once finalized.

If your home has been damaged or flooded, report it here to help Emergency Management assess impacts: https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/brevardFL/request.html