King Tides: What is it And What to Do ?

What is it?
“King tide” is a popular non-scientific term that people use to describe very high tides, that can cause nuisance flooding on sunny, blue-sky days in low lying areas.  They occur a few times per year, typically during a new or full moon and when the moon is closest to Earth. The combination of warm waters off the coast of Florida and the slowing down of the Gulf Stream creates a favorable environment for king tides to occur during the fall season.

This year (2020) king tides are expected to occur on the following dates:

• September 16 - 22         
  
• October 14 - 21
  
• November 13 - 18             
  
• December 13 - 15   

What to do?
Be aware ahead of time, follow your city and/or local county for the latest information and alerts on upcoming king tide events. You can also visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Sea Level Rise Viewer under “High Tide Flooding” and zoom into your neighborhood or areas you frequent to see if they might be affected during king tide.

During king tide events follow the below  safety tips while you are out and about and to protect your property:

• Do not walk through flood water if possible. If you do need to walk through flood waters follow good hygiene practices and wash your hands, clothes, and pets after.
• Do not drive through flooded areas - it is dangerous and can damage your vehicle.  Find an alternative route.
• If you drive through tidal floods, wash the undercarriage of your car to remove the salt water. You can go through a car wash equipped with an undercarriage sprayer.
• Boaters should be aware that high tides cause lower clearance under bridges - check the tide before leaving the dock.
• Do not allow children to play in or near flood water and encourage them to wash their hands regularly.
• Landscaping inundated with water should be rinsed off. If your landscape encounters salt water flooding, make sure the area is rinsed off and/or rained on thoroughly before adding fertilizer or pesticides

King tides provide a preview on how sea level rise will affect coastal places. The water level reached during a king tides will be the water level reached during an average day on high tide.    
Sources:

• https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/kingtide.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_tide
• https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/springtide.html
• https://www.epa.gov/cre/king-tides-and-climate-change
• https://www8.miamidade.gov/global/news-item.page?Mduid_news=news1506958000324763&Mduid_organization=org1462997730447672&Value.1=org1462997730447672&utm_campaign=09-21-2018-weekly-news.htm&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua
• https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/King-Tides-FactSheet-2-3.pdf
• https://www.coralgables.com/kingtides