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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 />