A Fort Lauderdale tide gauge passed major flood stage Sunday morning, and a coastal flood warning starts 2 a.m. Monday. Peak tide times and what to do.
The tide gauge on the Middle River at Sunrise Boulevard passed major flood stage Sunday morning. It read 2.51 feet at 8:30 a.m., just over the 2.5-foot major flood level. The reading comes from the NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge at George English Park.
The National Weather Service in Miami expects worse in the next two days. It has issued a coastal flood warning for coastal Broward County from 2 a.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Tuesday. A coastal flood advisory runs until it starts.
What the warning says
The weather service forecasts moderate coastal flooding around each high tide, reaching major flood stage Monday and Tuesday. It lists these impacts:
- numerous roads may be closed
- low-lying homes, businesses and some critical infrastructure will be flooded
- some shoreline erosion
- life-threatening rip currents, with a high rip current risk through late Tuesday night
The weather service said coastal flood advisories will be needed “through much of next week” after the king tides peak. It told drivers not to go around barricades or through water of unknown depth.
Sunday’s readings
All three Fort Lauderdale gauges reached their highest level of the week on the Sunday morning tide. Heights are in feet above mean higher high water, from the New River, Middle River and Port Everglades gauges:
- Middle River at George English Park, Sunrise Boulevard: 2.51 feet at 8:30 a.m.
- New River at the Riverwalk: 2.21 feet at 8:48 a.m.
- Atlantic Ocean at South Port Everglades: 2.11 feet at 8:12 a.m.
At each gauge, moderate flooding starts at 1.7 feet and major flooding at 2.5 feet. The readings are preliminary.
The Middle River gauge has climbed with each day’s highest tide this week:
| Day | Highest reading |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 1.77 feet |
| Wednesday, Oct. 21 | 1.87 feet |
| Thursday, Oct. 22 | 2.03 feet |
| Friday, Oct. 23 | 2.15 feet |
| Saturday, Oct. 24 | 2.18 feet |
| Sunday, Oct. 25 | 2.51 feet |
Wind and rain make it worse
A northeast wind is pushing water onshore. The forecast for Fort Lauderdale calls for:
- Sunday night: showers and thunderstorms, 80% chance, gusts to 32 mph, up to three-quarters of an inch of rain
- Monday: showers and thunderstorms likely, 60% chance, gusts to 39 mph
- Tuesday: showers likely in the morning, then thunderstorms, 80% chance, gusts to 37 mph
The weather has already put off one event. The city postponed Sunday night’s Diwali celebration at Las Olas Oceanside Park because of inclement weather. It said a new date will be announced.
When the water peaks
The city’s higher tides notice lists these peak times for the warning period. Water is highest for an hour or two either side.
| Day | Morning peak | Evening peak |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Oct. 25 | 8 a.m. | 8:15 p.m. |
| Monday, Oct. 26 | 8:45 a.m. | 9 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 9:45 a.m. | 9:45 p.m. |
The city expects the 9:45 a.m. tide Tuesday to be the highest of the year. Our king tides page has the peak times through Oct. 31.
What it means for you
- Leave earlier or later Monday and Tuesday. The morning peaks fall in the commute, at 8:45 a.m. Monday and 9:45 a.m. Tuesday.
- Do not drive through standing water. Turn around at barricades. If you must pass a flooded street, drive slowly so your wake does not push water toward homes, the city said.
- Protect your property. If water reaches your street, the city suggests sandbags at entry points and raising belongings off the floor.
- Stay out of the ocean. The rip current risk is high through late Tuesday night. Swim near a lifeguard, the weather service said.
- Keep trash carts off flooded curbs. See our trash and recycling page for the pickup schedule.
- Report an impassable street to the city’s Customer Support Center at 954-828-8000 or through FixIt FTL.
Closures that are not about the tide are on our road construction and closures page. The hurricane prep guide covers flood zones and flood insurance.
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