Miami Beach residents should brace for street flooding starting Friday, Nov. 6, as king tides return for a four-day stretch through Monday, Nov. 9.

The Miami Beach Fire Department posted the warning on X on Thursday, Nov. 5, listing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) peak tide predictions for each day:

  • Nov. 6: 6:26 a.m. and 6:38 p.m.
  • Nov. 7: 7:14 a.m. and 7:22 p.m.
  • Nov. 8: 7:59 a.m. and 8:05 p.m.
  • Nov. 9: 8:42 a.m. and 8:46 p.m.

Water levels can stay noticeably high for 1.5 to 2 hours before and after those peaks, the fire department said. The times vary by location across Miami Beach and do not account for wind or rain.

The tides arrive just days after South Florida was soaked by heavy rain. CBS News Miami reported a weather alert on Nov. 2 as storms moved through the region on ground already saturated from weekend rainfall.

What king tides mean for Miami Beach

King tides are the highest predicted high tides of the year, driven by the moon's gravitational pull during full and new moon phases, according to the city's king tides page. They typically last about three hours per cycle. In Miami Beach, they usually occur in September, October and November.

The city describes the phenomenon as "sunny day flooding." Streets, sidewalks and yards can flood even without rain when water levels rise above the elevation of low-lying land.

A city email alert warned that waterfront property owners with seawalls below current standards could see water overtop onto private property and nearby streets. City ordinance requires seawalls to be raised to 5.7 feet NAVD, or 4 feet NAVD if designed to support a future elevation of 5.7 feet.

October's record tides loom large

The October king tide cycle brought record coastal flooding to Miami Beach. Yale Climate Connections reported that Miami broke an 11-consecutive-day streak of reaching the "Moderate" flooding threshold on Nov. 1. Two of those days hit the "Major" threshold. The 2026 total reached 15 moderate flood days, eclipsing the previous record of 10 set in 2019.

This cycle should be milder. Yale Climate Connections reported that strong onshore winds are not expected during the Nov. 6–8 king tides, which should keep flooding in the minor range.

How to prepare and report flooding

The city's Public Works Department has deployed emergency temporary pump stations in the lowest-lying neighborhoods where stormwater upgrades have not yet been completed, according to the city email. The city also operates 48 permanent pump stations.

City staff monitors tidal elevations and responds to flooding reports. Residents can report flooding around the clock by:

  • Calling the Public Works Control Room at 305-673-7625
  • Emailing [email protected]
  • Using the Miami Beach Gov app

The city advises residents to avoid driving, walking or parking in flood-prone low-lying areas. Drivers who must travel should reduce speed to limit wake that can push water onto surrounding properties.

The next king tide cycle is scheduled for Nov. 23–26.