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💗SCROLL DOWN TO HELP US HONOR OUR CANCER HEROS💗
Dear Neighbors,
Over the past several days, Miami Beach has experienced significant sunny-day flooding from King Tides, compounded by the storm surge effects of the northeasterly storm.
Based on the data our engineers have collected, these have been some of the most intense King Tides we’ve experienced in the last 15 years.
I know how disruptive this has been. Garages have been flooded, some buildings have had to shut off elevators due to flooded mechanical shafts, streets and sidewalks became difficult to navigate, and it becomes almost impossible to take our pets out. I’m especially mindful of our neighbors who experienced these conditions during the Sukkot holiday.
Because of this, I want to make sure you’re aware that today’s next high tide is expected to peak at 9:57 p.m. and tomorrow morning at 10:38 am. Water levels can remain noticeably high for 1.5 to 2 hours before and after peak times.
I’ve also asked our City’s communications team to share the expected peak tide times on its Facebook page during each King Tide period so residents can better prepare.
Earlier today, City Manager Eric Carpenter and I were in the West Avenue neighborhood which has been affected by the flooding to see the conditions firsthand and review the City’s response.
Unfortunately, flooding caused by exceptionally high tides cannot be solved by stormwater pumps alone. As the City Manager put it, “We can’t pump the ocean.” When the tide and surface water levels get so high, there is simply nowhere for that water to go. That is why our long term resilience work - raising roads, improving drainage and modernizing seawalls to higher elevations - is so important.
In the meantime, our Public Works teams are actively responding by:
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Inspecting backflow preventers at low tide and clearing debris so they can operate properly during the next high tide;
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While pumps aren’t the most effective method to address tidal flooding, our staff is inspecting stormwater pump stations to ensure they are operating properly and deploying additional temporary pumps where they can be effective; and
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Cleaning catch basin grates as the tide subsides.
These measures help us manage the immediate conditions, but the long-term solution requires continued investment in our infrastructure.
We are working on moving forward with neighborhood improvement projects including West Avenue Phase 3, North Shore D Phase 1A, and First Street Phases 1 and 2, while advancing the designs for North Shore D Phases 1B and 2, First Street Phases 3 and 4, and Normandy Isles Phase 1.
In the meantime, we also want to help residents protect their vehicles from floodwaters. The Miami Beach Parking Department offers temporary parking at no charge at three municipal parking facilities for residents in areas where street flooding may occur during high tides.
Click here to register for the City’s King Tide Flood Relief Parking Program.
I know these conditions are frustrating and disruptive and I’m grateful to our Public Works team who are working through the tides to help our residents through the conditions we are experiencing today.
If there is anything I can do to assist you, please do not hesitate in reaching out. My email address is alex@miamibeachfl.gov.
Sincerely,
Alex Fernandez
Miami Beach City Commissioner
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