Florida Faces Record Coastal Flooding as King Tides Peak
Record flood levels in parts of Florida surpass those seen during major hurricanes as the annual King Tide event reaches its apex.
Parts of Florida experienced some of the most severe coastal flooding to date on Tuesday, as the ongoing fall King Tide event continued to push water levels higher, surpassing records previously set by several hurricanes.
Low-lying neighborhoods in South Florida were submerged under several feet of water during high tide. While the peak flooding is expected to persist through Wednesday along the Southeast coast, a gradual recession of high tide cycles will bring some relief to affected areas.
A persistent northeasterly wind is exacerbating the tidal flooding by driving seawater onshore. King Tides, the highest naturally occurring high tides of the year, can push seawater through storm drains and onto coastal roads even on clear days without storms.
In South Port Everglades, flood levels reached 2.51 feet above normally dry ground on Tuesday, exceeding Monday's high-water mark, which itself had surpassed the record set during Hurricane Nicole in 2022. According to the FOX Forecast Center, Tuesday's flooding ranked among the top five on record for Virginia Key, Port Canaveral, and Lake Worth.
Coastal Flood Warnings are in effect through Friday for coastal roads, low-lying neighborhoods, and waterfront infrastructure across parts of South Florida, Georgia, and the South Carolina Lowcountry. In the Jacksonville area, sustained northerly to northeasterly winds may hinder drainage along the St. Johns River, potentially prolonging high water levels in riverfront areas.
FOX Weather Correspondent Brandy Campbell reported extensive flooding in North Bay Village, situated between mainland Miami and Miami Beach. One Miami resident described the situation as the worst they had seen in four years, with water reaching above their boots.
The city of Fort Lauderdale has advised residents to anticipate road closures due to flooding through Thursday. Additionally, South Florida may experience another period of heavy tropical rainfall on Wednesday as an upper-level low near Cuba interacts with high pressure, drawing significant tropical moisture across the peninsula.
The NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has issued a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk for Wednesday, extending from New Smyrna Beach to areas just north of West Palm Beach. Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry are facing a heightened threat, with water levels in Charleston Harbor potentially reaching or exceeding 2 feet. Major flooding could impact downtown streets beyond the immediate waterfront, rendering some roads impassable during peak high tide and causing travel disruptions. Similar impacts may affect other low-lying coastal communities in Georgia and South Carolina.
Northeasterly winds of 20 to 25 mph are expected to continue pushing water toward the coast, contributing to a high rip current risk along virtually the entire Southeast coast. Water levels are anticipated to gradually decrease after midweek as the peak astronomical tide cycle subsides.