Peak king tide conditions are expected to drive major coastal flooding across parts of the Southeast over the next 48 hours. Coastal Flood Warnings are in effect across parts of South Florida, Georgia and South Carolina as morning high tides are expected to push water more than 2 feet above normally dry ground.
That means flooded roads, low-lying neighborhoods and waterfront infrastructure can take on water during repeated high tides, with Charleston Harbor among the places where water levels could reach or exceed 2 feet. In Jacksonville, persistent northerly to northeasterly winds may also slow drainage along the St. Johns River and leave high water lingering near riverfront areas.
South Florida flooding
South Florida faces a second source of flooding pressure: heavy tropical rainfall. An upper-level low near Cuba is drawing deep tropical moisture across the peninsula, and additional rainfall totals exceeding 2 inches are possible through this week.
Downpours producing more than 1 inch of rain per hour are possible, and that rain can pile on top of the tidal flooding risk. When high ocean water meets a drainage system already under pressure, storm drains have less room to move water away from Miami Beach, Brickell, Fort Lauderdale and the Florida Keys.
Winds pushing water inland
A King Tide is the highest naturally occurring high tide of the year, and the setup this week is making that natural cycle more disruptive. Northeasterly winds of 20 to 25 mph are continuing to push water toward the coast, which can send seawater back up through storm drains and onto coastal streets even without storm conditions.
The result is a fifth consecutive day of water levels rising more than 2 feet above normally dry ground, with impacts that could extend to other low-lying coastal communities in Georgia and South Carolina. Flooded roads could become impassable at peak high tide, so travel across exposed coastal routes may need to happen outside the highest tide window.
Through Tuesday
Forecast conditions also carry a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood threat through Tuesday. For residents in South Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, the immediate risk is not just where water reaches the street, but how long it stays there after the tide falls. The next two days will show whether repeated morning high tides and rainfall overlap enough to push flooding deeper into neighborhoods and downtown riverfront areas.
