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