MELBOURNE, Fla. — Dozens of families are scrambling to find a new place to live after they were given 48 hours to vacate their apartments at the Windover Palms in Melbourne.
About 100 people are being forced to leave after the property owner said historic flooding is forcing them to make extensive repairs.
The property owner stated repairs will take at least 6 months and will include electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work.
According to a notice posted by the property, management will refund November rent and return security deposits.
Those refunds will be delivered in person at the Windover Palms leasing office at a later date that has not yet been announced.
The American Red Cross of North and Central Florida, in partnership with the City of Melbourne has opened a temporary emergency shelter for residents displaced at the Windover Palms apartment complex.
The Shelter is located at Joseph N. Davis Community Center located at 2547 Bruce D. Buggs Street in Melbourne and will open at 4 p.m. today, Friday, November 13.
The temporary emergency shelter will be staffed by American Red Cross.
The shelter is intended for residents displaced from Windover Palms whose residence remain uninhabitable as a result of flooding associated with the November 2, 2026 flood event.
Emergency shelters provide a safe place to stay and access to basic services during a disaster.
Windover Palms residents seeking shelter are encouraged to bring identification, essential personal items, including medications, bedding, toiletries, clothing, important documents, charges, and other necessities they may need during their stay.
“It was a double hit,” said Windover Palms resident Shawn Williams.
Williams said just days ago she was cleaning the apartment and throwing out belongings damaged by flooding. On Friday she was packing up a UHAUL after receiving the lease termination notice.
Williams said if it wasn’t for her sister, her family would be homeless.
“She’s helping me until we can get back and bounce back on our feet again,” said Williams.
On Friday, the State Emergency Response team canvassed the community passing out information.
Residents are being directed to call 211 for housing assistance. Officials said Air BNB credits were being offered.
Williams said until she receives her refund, it’s going to be hard to find a new place.
Many residents in the community receive Section 8 vouchers.
Several residents told Channel 9 they didn’t plan for the sudden move and don’t have the savings to put the cash deposit down for a new place.
“We’re just kinda like in limbo right now. We don’t know what to do, but just pray,” said Williams, “We just need help.”
If you are impacted by flooding in Brevard here are some resources that may be able to assist:
Legal Assistance: 833-514-2940
Shelter and Temporary Housing Assistance: Dial 211 from a local phone or call directly 321-632-6688 211brevard.org
Clothing and Furniture: The salvation army of melbourne store at 2400 W New Haven Ave provides vouchers to shop for clothing for free to anyone impacted by floods.
Community of Hope Thrist Store 1975 Palm Bay Ave NE: for household items and furniture
Local Food Pantries: Visit the United Way Space Coast /disaster response website for a list of local food pantries. UWspacecoast.org/disaster-response
Mental health resources, recovery case management: American Red Cross- 1-800-733-2767
Volunteer clean up assistance: https://forms.juvare.com/forms/93e32c51-c1d4-4920-9642-f60248d6efba?fbclid=IwY2xjawVkZJJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMXFVZXVmVXBic0lKckprMm5zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEf2hvD1Yh5p9SjRCRxkiB2Ug8pgyf7XUZR7mYbo074QMwzSq9mR1AY1AO-ak8_aem_vzHghv_D6EGzibhKZc3snQ
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