Fort Lauderdale braces for record king tide flooding Tuesday

Fort Lauderdale officials warned residents on Monday that Tuesday could bring the worst flooding of the current king tide event.

City leaders advised neighbors to expect standing water on roads in areas prone to tidal flooding. They noted that some streets may become impassable near the peak tide, which is scheduled for 10:21 a.m. on Tuesday.

Flooding has already disrupted daily life in neighborhoods like River Isles over the past few days. Strong onshore winds and passing downpours have compounded the high tides. Vehicles were observed driving through bumper-deep water on Monday despite warnings from local authorities.

Tommy Krcmaric described how quickly the water rose in his area on Monday. He said he went for a walk around his block and had to change his return route because the water had risen in just 30 minutes.

City crews worked to clear storm drains on Monday to speed up drainage. Officials explained that tidal flooding pushes saltwater into low-lying areas through waterways, drainage systems, and over seawalls. The city stated that it cannot pump the water out effectively when ocean levels are exceptionally high. Pumping into waterways that are already elevated by the tide may not work, allowing water to enter streets until the tide recedes.

The high tide in Miami is scheduled for 10:07 a.m. on Tuesday. Fort Lauderdale teams are continuing to monitor conditions and respond to flooding reports. They are also addressing roadway safety concerns as the event progresses.