Miami Beach is facing two king tides this Monday that could flood streets and low-lying areas of the city. The first will occur at 8:42 a.m. and the second at 8:46 p.m., according to official information from the city of Miami Beach.
The risk period extends beyond those exact moments. Water levels can remain elevated for one and a half to two hours before and after each peak, placing the critical windows approximately between 6:45 and 10:45 in the morning, and between 6:45 and 10:45 in the evening.
Authorities are clear in their main recommendation: do not drive or walk through flooded streets.
If driving through an area with water accumulation is unavoidable, the Miami Beach Fire Department advises reducing speed to avoid creating waves that could worsen damage to nearby properties and other vehicles.
The historically most vulnerable areas include the 5300 block of Collins Avenue, North Bay Road, Indian Creek, Crespi Boulevard, and the intersection of Dickens Avenue with 73rd Street. The flooding primarily occurs due to saltwater returning through the drains or overtopping the seawall, not necessarily from rain.
The king tide cycle of November began on Friday the 6th and ends this Monday the 9th. A second cycle is scheduled from the 23rd to the 26th of November.
The episode this Monday comes just a few weeks after southern Florida saw record-high tidal flooding, with inundations in Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale. On October 27, the tide gauges in Miami and Fort Lauderdale recorded water levels approximately 2.5 feet (76 cm) above the average of the highest high tides, during an episode of coastal flooding.
In Miami Beach, streets were closed, and in Fort Lauderdale, there were rescues of people trapped in their homes on that day.
The climatologist Jason Box from Nova Southeastern University has pointed out that high tides in South Florida have risen by approximately an additional foot since 1993. Now a "normal" king tide floods areas that were previously dry.
To report flooding in Miami Beach, there are three available options: call the Public Works Control Room at 305-673-7625 (available 24 hours a day), email flooding@miamibeachfl.gov, or use the Miami Beach Gov app.
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