LTC 349-2024 - 2024 Fall King Tide Season UpdateMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
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TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
LETTER TO COMMISSION
Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
Eric Carpenter,City Manager a.c av~
August 16,2024
2024 Fall King Tide Season Update
Southeast Florida is expected to experience higher than normal tides starting next month.Often
referred to as King Tide season,King Tides are considered the highest tides of the year.In Miami
Beach,fall high tides usually occur during certain days during the months of September,October,
and November.The City reviews National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
predictions to anticipate which days may reach thresholds that may result in ponding or flooding in
low-lying areas.
When King Tides rise to an elevation higher than the adjacent land,minor flooding is often
exhibited.Since Miami Beach is low-lying and near sea level,lower areas of the city are particularly
vulnerable to tidal flooding.Flooding experienced during King Tides may be exacerbated by
storms,wind,and rainfall.
King Tide Season
The NOAA Tides and Currents stations monitor,log and predict key data,including tide elevations,
meteorological parameters and current parameters.The Virginia Key station is the closest NOAA
Monitoring Site to Miami Beach.The City uses information from this NOAA station to predict King
Tide dates.While these dates reflect the current prediction for seasonal higher tides,greater than
average tides can occur anytime of the year under varying conditions such as wind and weather
patterns.The relative distances and positions of the sun,moon,and Earth all affect the magnitude
of the tides.
Predicted 2024 King Tides
•September 16-September 22
•October 14-October 21
•November 13-November 18
To help residents and businesses prepare,the City will provide information through
communications channels as done in prior seasons.City staff monitors the tidal elevations and
responds to complaints in areas offlooding.The City deploys emergency temporary pump stations
in the lowest lying neighborhoods where neighborhood improvement projects and stormwater
system upgrades have yet to be completed.Stormwater pumps are inspected,adjusted,and
cleaned.The King Tide Parking Flood Relief Program continues to be available to residents in
low-lying areas.
It is important to note that in areas that have received infrastructure upgrades and elevation,such
as Sunset Harbour,Palm and Hibiscus,and Indian Creek Dr;hundreds of roadway tidal flood
events have been avoided.
349-2024
Flood Awareness and King Tide Resources
A new flood awareness webpage was recently created to provide a central repository of helpful
resources for the community to learn about and take action in preparation for flooding hazards:
https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/flood-awareness/.In addition,information specific to King Tides is
available through the following site:https://www.mbrisingabove.com/climate-science/king-tides/
If you have any questions please contact me or Amy Knowles,Chief Resilience Officer at
AmyKnowles@miamibeachfl.gov
EC/MH/AK
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