Virginia Key Hits Record King Tide, 1.9 Feet Above Normal in Northern California

Virginia Key in Miami recorded the highest king tide in its three decades of records this week. The water level there was the third-highest ever measured in the location. Only hurricanes have pushed the tides higher in the past, according to Chris Fisher, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Miami.

The flooding extended far beyond the barrier island. Seawater washed across streets and into homes and businesses in beach communities across California, Florida, and the Carolinas. The surge began with the full moon earlier in the week. King tides occur when the gravitational pull and alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun combine to elevate water levels. They can happen multiple times a year and last for several days.

Meteorologists identified specific weather patterns that worsened the flooding this week. In Florida, strong high pressure to the north and low pressure over the Caribbean increased swells. On the California coast, the ongoing super El Niño warmed the ocean and increased seawater volume. Roger Gass, a meteorologist at the Bay Area forecast office in Monterey, also pointed to Kelvin waves. These are pulses of warm water that raise sea levels.

In Southern California, residents in Huntington Beach placed sandbags outside their homes on Wednesday to block floodwaters. Some commuters used paddleboards and surfboards to travel through the streets. The Pacific Coast Highway saw closures, and tides were expected to approach record levels in Orange and San Diego counties.

Northern California experienced high tides peaking 1.9 feet above normal. The weather service expected minor flooding in low-lying shoreline areas and tidal waterways through Saturday. Gass noted that coastal flooding typically occurs within 90 minutes before and after high tide.

Most of Florida's Atlantic coast remained under flood warnings through early Friday. Street flooding was reported in Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Rip currents were possible as far north as North Carolina's Outer Banks. In Fort Lauderdale, drivers had to navigate flooded streets beside marinas and hotels to reach the in-water boat show.

Fisher described the conditions as a rough beach week. He warned of high risks for rip currents and high surf. Beach conditions were expected to remain rough through the weekend. He advised people to stay out of the water and away from the beaches.