Local
South Florida cities brace for worsening king-tide flooding through Tuesday
King tides, strong onshore winds and heavy downpours flooded Fort Lauderdale streets Monday, with officials warning conditions could spread Tuesday. High ocean levels can prevent stormwater pumps from moving floodwater out of low-lying neighborhoods.
South Florida residents and businesses prepared for another round of coastal flooding Monday, Oct. 26, as king tides, onshore winds gusting up to 40 mph and heavy downpours pushed water into communities from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. Officials warned flooding could become more widespread Tuesday.
Fort Lauderdale reported flooding on several roads Monday morning and cautioned that streets in areas prone to tidal flooding could become impassable around high tide. City crews were monitoring conditions, responding to reports and addressing roadway safety concerns.
The city said its stormwater pumps cannot necessarily clear tidal flooding. Unlike rainwater flooding, tidal water can move inland through waterways and drainage systems or over seawalls. When water levels in those waterways are already high, officials said, there may be nowhere for pumps to send the water; streets can remain flooded until the tide recedes.
Businesses along Hollywood Beach put out sandbags ahead of the high water. Store owner Leo Geist said a previous high tide about a month earlier, accompanied by a full moon but no wind, brought roughly three feet of water and flooded his business. He feared Monday’s combination of water currents and pressure could bring more.
Officials also warned drivers that saltwater can damage vehicles even if they make it through a flooded street without stalling.
Monday’s high tides were scheduled for 9:33 a.m. and 9:40 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale, and 9:19 a.m. and 9:24 p.m. in Miami. In Key West, high tides were expected at 11:05 a.m. and 10:23 p.m.
A king tide is a common, nontechnical term for an exceptionally high tide. NOAA says such tides are typically associated with a new or full moon and the Moon’s closest approach to Earth. The combination of high tides, wind and rainfall left coastal and low-lying South Florida neighborhoods facing continued flood risk into Tuesday.