As fall approaches, so do the annual king tides, the highest tides of the year. They typically occur in South Florida from September to December, peaking in October and November, often causing “sunny day flooding” or flooding without rain.
King tides are a natural part of the tide cycle, which means they can be predicted far in advance. However, on the day of the predicted king tides, natural variations in weather may cause more or less flooding than expected. Based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s predictions for the Lake Worth tide gauge, the highest tides of 2023 in Palm Beach County will occur on Sept. 29 – Oct. 2, 2023; Oct. 27 – 31, 2023 and Nov. 26, 2023.
King tide flooding is not guaranteed during these dates, and sunny-day and other types of flooding, such as rainfall-induced flooding or storm surge, may occur outside these dates!
If a property is vulnerable to king tides, please consider the following options:
- Have a plan in place to move vehicles to higher ground BEFORE a king tide event.
- Keep sandbags on hand.
- Consider obtaining an elevation certificate for a finished floor from a licensed surveyor.
- Review the flood insurance policy or consider acquiring flood insurance.
- Make a flood safety plan and review it with family/friends/co-workers.
See Palm Beach County’s Department of Emergency Management’s Flood Tips website for more information on flood risk and options for reducing the risk of flood damage.
- Study the elevation of the areas around a property, and identify alternative routes to avoid driving through deep water during a king tide event.
- Remove waste carts and recycling bins from the curb as soon as possible when a king tide event is expected.
To protect all loved ones during or after a king tide, please:
- Do not walk through flood water if possible. This can be a health and/or safety issue.
- If it is necessary to walk through flooded waters, practice good hygiene and wash hands, clothes and pets as soon as possible.
- Do not drive through flood waters if possible. This can be dangerous and can damage a vehicle.
- Be aware of the new tidal range, and practice safe boating when traveling under a bridge. Check the tides before leaving the dock.
- During king tide events, closely monitor trash cans and recycling bins and remove them from the curb as soon as possible when they are emptied. If a property experiences flooding, consider storing containers in a secure location until the next scheduled pick-up day.
For more information on king tides, see the county’s King Tide webpage.