King tides return Wednesday as coastal flood alerts extend into Thursday

Update (Wednesday, 12:25 p.m.): Seawater breached the seawall near the 4500 block of Collins Avenue in Mid-Beach on Wednesday morning, WSVN 7News reported; the station did not describe any damage. The Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the next high tide predicted at 10:29 p.m. at Government Cut, and the Coastal Flood Advisory follows through 8 p.m. Thursday. The city’s free garage parking for residents runs until 8 a.m. Saturday.

Update (Wednesday, 11:20 a.m.): In an alert email, the City of Miami Beach listed 10 garages taking part in the free parking for residents: 200 7th St., 512 12th St., 1301 Collins Ave., 1557 Washington Ave., 640 17th St., 1661 Pennsylvania Ave., 1900 Bay Road, 340 23rd St., 400 W. 42nd St. and 260 67th St., subject to availability. The garages at the Convention Center (1901 Convention Center Drive), 5th Street and Alton Road (550 Lenox Ave.) and City Hall (1755 Meridian Ave.) are not included. Non-residents may use any city garage at standard rates. The city said to report flooding that blocks access or causes damage at 305-673-7625, through the Miami Beach Gov app or at [email protected].

Update (Wednesday, 10:20 a.m.): The City of Miami Beach and Miami Beach Fire said on X that, because of the king tides and the coastal flood warning, Miami Beach residents who want to keep their cars out of flood-prone areas can park in municipal parking garages at no cost through 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The posts say residents must show proof of residency when exiting a parking facility. This is based on the city’s posts, which Red Sidewalks has not independently verified.

Update (Wednesday, 9:25 a.m.): The City of Miami Beach and Miami Beach Fire said on X Wednesday morning that the king tide is expected to peak at 11:20 a.m. and again at 11:23 p.m., with elevated water possible for 1.5 to 2 hours on either side of each peak. The city advised against driving, walking or parking in low-lying areas prone to flooding and said not to walk through floodwaters. The peak times differ from the NOAA high-tide predictions below.

Update (Wednesday, 7:20 a.m.): The National Weather Service in Miami renewed its Coastal Flood Warning for coastal Miami-Dade at 5:39 a.m. Wednesday, warning of significant coastal flooding until 8 p.m., with numerous roads that may close and low-lying homes and businesses that may take on water. When the warning ends, a Coastal Flood Advisory for moderate flooding takes over from 8 p.m. Wednesday until 8 p.m. Thursday, so tidal flooding remains possible through at least one more day. NOAA predicts high tides at Government Cut at 10:25 a.m. and 10:29 p.m. Wednesday. Dangerous rip currents are also expected through 8 p.m. Wednesday. The forecast calls for a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday and lighter east winds than earlier in the week.

Update (9:15 p.m.): Tuesday morning’s tide was the highest water on record at the Virginia Key gauge outside of a hurricane since the gauge was installed in 1994, the Miami Herald reported; only Hurricane Irma in 2017 pushed it higher. CBS News Miami, counting storm events, ranked the reading of 2.54 feet above the average daily high tide as the gauge’s third-highest. Both outlets said the water reached “major” flood stage under National Weather Service criteria. In Miami Beach, the Herald reported Crespi Boulevard was completely underwater Tuesday morning, and CBS News Miami reported cars stalled on Collins Avenue in Mid-Beach while other drivers climbed hotel driveways to reach high ground. The Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday. NOAA predicts high tides at Government Cut at 9:41 p.m. Tuesday and at 10:25 a.m. and 10:29 p.m. Wednesday.

Update (5:40 p.m.): North Bay Village said on X Tuesday afternoon that flooding was being seen across the village as king tides pushed water onto low-lying streets, and repeated that the Coastal Flood Warning runs through Wednesday, with peak water roughly 8 to 11 a.m. and p.m. The National Weather Service’s Wind Advisory is due to expire at 8 p.m. Tuesday. WSVN reported more king tides were expected to begin Tuesday night and again on Nov. 5. Meteorologist John Morales, in a Bluesky post, passed along a University of Miami researcher’s description of the tide as the highest king tide on record; Red Sidewalks has not independently confirmed that figure. Separately, the city is promoting grants of up to $20,000 for private seawall work.

Update: Miami Beach and Miami Beach Fire said on X Tuesday morning that king tides are predicted to peak at 10:31 a.m. and again at 10:34 p.m., and that water levels may stay elevated for 1.5 to 2 hours on either side of each peak, with flooding varying by location. Both urged people not to drive or walk through floodwater. North Bay Village said Monday that moderate to major flooding was likely around high tide from roughly 8 to 11 a.m. and 8 to 11 p.m. through midweek. The National Weather Service’s Wind Advisory for coastal Miami-Dade now runs until 8 p.m. Tuesday, with gusts up to 40 mph, and its Coastal Flood Warning and high rip current risk continue until 8 p.m. Wednesday. The forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms Tuesday and Tuesday night.

Update (1:20 p.m.): WSVN 7News reported Tuesday that a stretch of North Bay Road in Miami Beach was closed while still underwater, and that a bus drove through a flooded street on the 5300 block of Collins Avenue. The station said more king tides were expected to begin around 9:40 p.m. Tuesday.

King tides are expected to peak again Tuesday at 10:31 a.m. and 10:34 p.m., a day after saltwater pushed into Miami Beach streets, and a Coastal Flood Warning for coastal Miami-Dade remains in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Near 52nd Street, high tide flooded Collins Avenue and its sidewalks as seawater rose through storm drains and spilled over the seawall, according to WSVN 7News. In South Beach, drivers on Lincoln Court parked on higher ground and left signs asking not to be towed. Across the bay, seawater flooded a parking lot along the 79th Street Causeway in North Bay Village. The water had receded by Monday afternoon, WSVN reported.

Dangerous beach conditions occurring along the east coast, including Miami Beach. There’s also a wind advisory until Tuesday evening for possible gusts peaking at 45 mph. King tides could cause moderate to major coastal flooding at high tide thru Wednesday 🌊

— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) October 26, 2026

Rough surf rolled onto Miami Beach Monday morning, as seen in video shared by Joel Franco.

What’s next

The weather service warns of “significant coastal flooding,” with numerous roads that may close and low-lying homes, businesses and some infrastructure that may take on water. NOAA predicts the next high tides at Government Cut at 8:56 p.m. Monday and around 9 a.m. Tuesday; flooding is usually worst for an hour or two on either side of high tide.

Wind is making it worse. A Wind Advisory runs from 11 a.m. Monday through 8 p.m. Tuesday, with northeast winds of 20 to 25 mph and frequent gusts up to 40 mph that can push more water ashore, bring down tree limbs and cause scattered power outages. Showers and thunderstorms are likely through Tuesday, and heavy rain at high tide can back up drains that are already full of seawater.

The beach itself is dangerous: there is a high risk of rip currents through Wednesday evening.

Staying safe

• Don’t drive, walk or wade through flooded streets. Saltwater can damage cars even when they don’t stall, and the weather service warns never to drive around barricades.
• Move cars off low-lying streets before high tide.
• Secure patio furniture, plants and anything else the wind can carry.
• Swim only near a lifeguard, or skip the ocean until the warning ends.