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Historical Flooding Events. Data on previous occurrences of <br />flooding events in municipalities are limited; therefore, the <br />following events are based on the best available data. <br />Additional data can be found under the Tropical <br />Storms/Hurricanes heading (4.1.2). <br />Flood of 1947. This flood is generally considered to be <br />the most severe flood recorded in southern Florida. Heavy <br />rainfall, including the rains from two hurricanes, occurred over <br />a period of 5 months. Many parts of Martin County, to the <br />south, were flooded for months, and there was extensive <br />damage to dairy pastures and agriculture in general. Such a <br />flooding event in Indian River County would be much more <br />significant today because of the increase in land development <br />along the eastern side of the County. <br />Flood of 1953. As occurred in 1947, this flood was <br />preceded by 5 months of heavier than normal rainfall, which <br />included a tropical storm in October. June through October <br />rainfall was approximately 48 inches. Damage was heaviest in <br />the beef cattle industry, with extensive losses of improved <br />pastureland, which required supplemental feeding of cattle. <br />Vegetable growers and dairy farmers also suffered significant <br />losses as a result of this flood. There were significant <br />damages to buildings and roads in the eastern part of the <br />County as well. <br />Flash Flood of March 1993. The City of Vero Beach <br />experienced a flash flood following heavy rains causing minor <br />damage in 50 homes and washed out roads around Highway <br />60. The flood caused an estimated $500,000 in damages. <br />The Unnamed Storm of October 1995. Almost exactly <br />one year after the Tropical Storm Gordon flooding incident in <br />1994, a stalled frontal system dropped 15.5 inches of rain on <br />Indian River County over a period of 39 hours. <br />Flooding of August 1999. The City of Sebastian <br />experienced heavy rains in early August that flooded roads <br />along U.S. Highway 1. The high water disabled six vehicles in <br />the area as well. The City of Vero Beach experienced heavy <br />rains producing flooding of some major roadways round the <br />City in late August. <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 10 <br />