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NewsTampa Bay TimesOctober 28, 2026Hillsborough County

National Weather Service reports king tides bring major flooding to South Florida while Tampa Bay expects minimal impact

Photo: Tampa Bay Times

An unprecedented king tide driven by strong onshore winds has caused major flooding in homes, businesses, and roads across South Florida, reaching 2 ½ feet above high tide. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay area expects tides to rise only about a foot above normal because easterly wind gusts are pushing water offshore, preventing significant local impacts.

EnvironmentWeatherFloodingClimate Change
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Why It Matters

South Florida residents face severe property inundation and overwhelmed drainage infrastructure, while Tampa Bay residents avoid coastal flooding despite elevated lunar tides lasting for three days.

Key Facts

  • South Florida experienced unprecedented king tides reaching 2 ½ feet above high tide, flooding homes, businesses, and major roads.
  • The National Weather Service categorized the South Florida flooding as 'major'.
  • In Fort Lauderdale and Miami, water gauges recorded the highest king tide ever measured.
  • Across the Tampa Bay area, tides are projected to rise only about a foot above normal.
  • Strong easterly wind gusts on the Atlantic coast are forcing surf offshore along the Gulf Coast, offsetting the incoming king tide in Tampa Bay.
  • The National Weather Service does not plan to issue coastal flood warnings for the Tampa Bay area.
  • Elevated king tides could remain a foot above normal in Tampa Bay for the next three days, with highest lunar tides overnight.
  • King tides occur when the Earth, moon, and sun align to produce peak annual tidal effects.
  • Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and Hurricane Helene a year later coincided with high-tide periods in the region.

Who's Mentioned

locationMiami“Water gauges measured 2 ½ feet above high tide”OrganizationNational Weather Service“Considers the flooding 'major' and provided meteorological analysis”OrganizationU.S. Environmental Protection Agency“Explained the astronomical alignment causing king tides”locationTampa Bay“Region where tides should only swell about a foot above normal”otherHurricane Idalia“Swept past the west coast of Florida in 2023”locationRuskin“Location of the National Weather Service office”OrganizationUniversity of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Research“Affiliation of Brian McNoldy”OrganizationMiami Herald“Reported on water gauge measurements in South Florida”locationFort Lauderdale“Water gauges measured 2 ½ feet above high tide”OrganizationEnvironment Hub“Launched by the Tampa Bay Times to focus on urgent challenges”PersonBrian McNoldy“Senior research associate at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Mari”locationGulf Coast“Region expected to avoid the destruction seen on the other side of the state”otherHurricane Helene“Struck a year later with storm surge that was the worst in a century”OrganizationTampa Bay Times“Launched the Environment Hub in 2025”PersonStephen Shiveley“Meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Ruskin office”