King Tides Bring Flood to Fort Lauderdale and the Isles

10/24/2019 (Permalink)

What do you do after a King Tide Flooding?

King Tide Floods

King tides are the highest predicted high tides of the year at a coastal location for example in the Rio Vista Isles and even the Las Olas Isles.   They occur when the orbits and alignment of the Earth, moon and sun combine with seasonal variations to produce the greatest tidal effect of the year. During king tides, Ft. Lauderdale is vulnerable to flooding in low-lying areas due to its seven miles of beaches, over 200 miles of canal coastline, its flat topography and its shallow, porous aquifer.

King Tides are on the Way

Upcoming dates for king tides in Broward County are November 24 – 28, 2019.

What to do?

There are a number of things you can do to be better prepared for the flooding that may occur during a king tide:

1. Relocate electrical panel boxes, A/C units, water heaters and other appliances to elevated locations.
2. Remove garbage bins from the street.
3. Report or fix any drainage problems around your property.
4. Install check vales to prevent floodwater from backing up into drains.
5. Consider constructing a flood wall to stop flood water from entering your property.

When King Tides occur, remember the following:

1. Avoid walking through flood waters as it is a health hazard and can be dangerous.
2. Rise off all your landscaping if is touched or covered by flood water.
3. Be sure to follow any road closure or detour signs to avoid driving through flooded streets.
4. If you must drive through floodwater during a king tide, take it afterward to a car wash equipped with an undercarriage sprayer to remove saltwater from your vehicle.

The City of Fort Lauderdale will respond to flood inquires 24/7 if you call its 24-Hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000.   And should flood water enter your home, SERVPRO will provide local emergency response 24/7 when you call 954-733-1006.

Additional Resources

Additional information about king tides can be found on the City of Fort Lauderdale’s website here: http://ow.ly/bN2d50wT0vK

Brizaga, Inc

Brizaga, Inc., a Fort Lauderdale company that specializes in helping property owners and governments prepare for rising sea levels also has a number of resources on their website (www.brizaga.com) including a link to FEMA’s interactive flood zone map as well as information regarding  what to consider when constructing a flood wall.

Broward County is looking for citizen scientists to help document local tidal flooding.   Clicke here learn more.

You've got the support, always here to help.

We've supported hundreds of families and businesses like yours before. You are not alone. Whether reactive or preventative, our team can jump into action to make sure things are a success.

Give SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North a call at (954) 733-1006 or visit our website at http://www.SERVPROftlauderdalenorth.com/

Follow our Social media for exclusive tips on dealing with mold, fires, water damage and more: SERVPRO of Ft. Lauderdale North

Facebook 

Instagram