Brevard schools reopen after historic flooding as families question campus safety

Brevard County students returned to classrooms Thursday following days of school closures caused by historic flooding, but for some families, the return to normal routines comes with lingering concerns about safety and recovery.

Floodwaters overwhelmed neighborhoods across the county, turning streets into waterways, submerging vehicles and leaving families dealing with damaged homes and difficult cleanup efforts.

For Gladys Ortiz, the flooding became frightening as water continued rising inside her home.

“Oh my God. Horrible,” Ortiz said, recalling how she watched the water enter her bedroom. She said her family spent two days trapped inside because the rising water made it nearly impossible to leave.

The reopening has not eased every parent’s concerns. Some questioned whether campuses had been thoroughly inspected for flood-related damage, particularly the possibility of mold developing in areas exposed to water.

“Please inspect the schools. Make sure there’s no mold. That’s important. The kids could get sick,” one mother of two said.

Concerns also surfaced on social media, where some parents questioned the district’s decision to resume classes rather than extend the closures through the week.

“I think they should have left them the whole week off, in reality … because the water went in there … it starts getting mold. That’s what I worry about,” a family member of the parent said.

Brevard Public Schools said campuses had been assessed before reopening. Transportation, before- and after-school care, athletics and other extracurricular activities were scheduled to resume. The district also said storm-related student absences would be excused. Bus delays remained possible in areas affected by storm damage.

Water service issues have added to the uncertainty. A water main break in Palm Bay left some customers without water, while a precautionary boil water notice remained in effect for customers served by Melbourne’s water utility. Several school campuses affected by the notice were operating with additional safety precautions, according to the district.

Despite the concerns, some families said their children were eager to return and reconnect with classmates after days away from school.

“They were nervous, but they were excited to go and see their friends to make sure they were OK,” one family member said.

For families still facing flood damage and uncertainty about their homes, the return to school marks one step toward normalcy. But parents say their biggest concern remains making sure their children are returning to a safe environment.