Areas of Miami-Dade County are expected to experience localized flooding due to unusual high tide events this fall

(MIAMI, October 15^th, 2012) – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Tides and Currents data predicts that the South East Florida Region will experience unusually high tides again this Fall during the months of September, October, and November.  Tides are predicted to be at their highest; October 15^th – 18^th, and on November 13^th & 16^th 2012. These high tide events are expected to be 9’’ – 11” above the average high tides for 2012 during these dates (See Chart Below). Tidal fluctuations are a natural occurrence and typically go unnoticed. However extreme tide events such as these have the potential to impact drainage systems and may cause flooding in low lying areas connected to storm drainage systems. Residents are advised to use caution when traveling on any streets with standing water.

Tides are influenced by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun, and therefore cycle on a daily, monthly, and seasonal basis.  Tides can also be affected by factors such as sea level, and weather, particularly wind and storm surge. 

Typically, higher-than-average tides tend to occur in our region during the months of September, October and November and can be made more extreme by the factors mentioned above.  Because the region’s storm water systems depend on gravity to drain excess water to the ocean, these high tides can flow back up into drainage systems along the coast and canals, flooding streets and adjacent areas.  This occurred during a similar higher-than-average tide event in October of 2010 (See Photo Above).

These annual extreme tide events illustrate the potential challenges of future sea level rise to low-lying coastal communities in South Florida and underscore the importance of developing appropriate strategies to address and reduce coastal flooding impacts.  For more information on how Miami-Dade County is working to make our community better prepared and more resilient to sea level rise and climate related impacts, please visit http://green.miamidade.gov/.

Photos of localized flooding during this fall’s extreme high tide events are available upon request by calling Luis Espinoza at 305-372-6770.  For more information on tides and currents, visit NOAA’s Website: http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions/NOAATidesFacade.jsp?Stationid=8723178.

Photo taken in Miami Beach, FL on October 7, 2010