Photos: Powerful cross-country storm leaves trail of deadly destruction after week of historic flooding
All told, the massive storm impacted more than 120 million people across more than 35 states.
Wild week of flooding and storms after massive cross-country storm
A powerful cross-country storm and a stubborn Florida weather pattern combined to produce a week of destructive flooding and Flash Flood Emergencies.
THE TAKEAWAY
- A massive cross-country storm impacted more than 120 million people across more than 35 states this week.
- Parts of the Southwest and the southern Appalachians were slammed by record flooding, submerging streets in floodwaters.
- Florida's Space Coast saw two back-to-back 1,000-year rain events.
Communities across the nation are still reeling after a powerful cross-country storm and a stubborn Florida weather pattern combined to produce a week of destructive flooding and Flash Flood Emergencies.
Record river crests across the Southwest
The massive system influenced by El Niño first slammed into the Southwest late Saturday as a significant flood event unfolded through Tuesday.
Intense rain on Sunday triggered a Flash Flood Emergency around the San Juan River in Colorado and Arizona.
The town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, was among the communities hardest hit by flooding, which triggered evacuations over the weekend that lasted until midweek. Colorado, Arizona and Utah all declared states of emergency.
The town said it suffered significant damage to its sewer system and other infrastructure.
The Pagosa Springs Museum was left teetering on an embankment after washing away part of the building's foundation.
The San Juan River peaked at 16.81 feet Monday, the second-highest of all-time, while other rivers in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado crested at record heights.
Police in Flagstaff, Arizona, said a man was found dead Monday after he was seen being swept into floodwaters over the weekend.
Florida's Space Coast slammed by historic flooding
Parts of Florida’s Space Coast were slammed by back-to-back 1,000-year rainfall events on Sunday and Monday that left two people dead. A strong area of high pressure funneled moisture over the state, enhancing rain totals from a storm system that stalled over the region.
The historic rainfall has prompted emergency declarations and warnings across parts of Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Monday across seven counties.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission use airboats to rescue people from flooded neighborhood
Multiple people were rescued from a neighborhood in Palm Bay, Florida, on Monday because of flash flooding. Video shows Florida FWC sitting on an airboat coordinating rescues.
Several polling sites were moved for Election Day due to extreme flooding.
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Neighborhoods were completely flooded in Melbourne, Port St. Lucie and Palm Bay as roads turned into canals. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office said that they received numerous calls of people trapped in their homes and on flooded roads, prompting high-water rescues.
Melbourne recorded 11.51 inches of rain Monday, the wettest day in the city's history since record-keeping began in 1937.
Flooding in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Nov. 4, 2026. (Port St. Lucie Police Department / FOX Weather)
Meanwhile, a plane crashed near Cresthaven, Florida, just before 1 p.m. on Sunday, killing all 9 people on board.
"The plane likely flew through a developing thunderstorm that moved in from the south-east approximately five minutes prior to the crash," the FOX Forecast Center said.
Nearly 150 people rescued along the Tennessee-Georgia state line following historic flooding
As the powerful cross-country storm barreled its way east, intense storms swamped the Copper River Basin along the Georgia-Tennessee border, prompting a Flash Flood Emergency early Thursday.
Watch: Incredible Drone Video Shows Devastating Flash Flooding In McCaysville, Georgia
Drone footage shows parts of McCaysville, Georgia, inundated by floodwaters from the Toccoa River, which reached a record crest over 18 feet during Thursday morning's Flash Flood Emergency. The community is just beginning to assess damage after swiftwater teams conducted dozens of rescues throughout the morning.
All told, at least 80 people were rescued in Fannin County, Georgia, following widespread flooding.
Meanwhile, in Tennessee's Polk County, at least 68 people were rescued, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency in the county.
Starting at 3 a.m. Thursday, people in some McCaysville, Georgia neighborhoods had to evacuate immediately. Officials said swift water rescue teams went into action after water surged into multiple homes and businesses.
The City of McCaysville declared a state of emergency early Thursday morning and people were asked to stay out of the city with clean-up is underway.
The Toccoa River in Georgia and the Ocoee River in Tennessee surged into major flood stage, cresting at a new record over 18 feet after 5 to 8 inches of rain fell across much of the region over just 12 hours.
Cross-country storm swamps East Coast as it moves offshore
In the storm's final act, it triggered flash flooding across parts of Monmouth County, New Jersey, and South Jersey during the morning rush.
Watch: Jersey shore soaked in final leg of massive cross-country storm
Flash Flood Warnings were in effect across parts of Monmouth County and South Jersey during the morning rush.
The storms also prompted ground delays and ground stops at major Northeast airports including, Newark International, LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International and Boston Logan International.
All told, the storm impacted more than 120 million people across more than 35 states.