Tuesday’s high tide, part of the seasonal “king tide” cycle, produced street flooding in multiple South Florida communities, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Dania Beach, according to NBC Miami. The surge pushed water onto roadways and sidewalks, creating hazardous conditions for drivers and pedestrians.

Fort Lauderdale resident Mario Santoloci described the situation near downtown as water covering the streets from the intersection down to the New River. “We had a couple inches of water from the intersection all the way down to New River,” Santoloci said. He noted that the water level was higher than the previous day, adding, “It seems to be getting a little worse every year.”

Fort Lauderdale’s chief resilience officer, Dr. Gassman, explained that king tides can overwhelm the city’s flood‑mitigation systems. She showed footage of water breaching the top of a step, saying, “This is so deep I have never seen the water breach the top of this step down.” The city relies on more than 200 tidal valves designed to keep seawater out, but those valves can struggle when heavy rain coincides with a king tide. Dr. Gassman urged residents to stay informed, stating, “Be aware and prepare, that’s really the key, understand that you’re part of the natural environment, and tides are part of the natural environment and that you need to be aware of what’s happening around you.”

Compounding the tide‑related flooding, a water main broke near downtown Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday afternoon, creating a large mess just before the next high tide. Crews worked through the night to repair the break and prevent further inundation.

Officials emphasized that preparation remains essential. Residents are encouraged to monitor tide forecasts, avoid low‑lying routes during high tide, and keep emergency supplies in their vehicles. The city plans to continue evaluating its tidal‑valve system and will issue updates as conditions evolve.

Sources: nbcmiami.com