Hollywood residents urged to prepare for King Tides and possible flooding in low-lying areas

Hollywood, Florida – Residents in Hollywood are being encouraged to prepare for periods of unusually high tides this fall as South Florida moves through the 2026 King Tide season.

Hollywood is particularly vulnerable to tidal flooding because of its miles of shoreline and waterways, relatively flat landscape and shallow water table. When tides rise higher than normal, water can reach low-lying areas and create flooding even when severe weather is not present.

King Tide is a commonly used, non-scientific term for exceptionally high tides that occur periodically during the year. In South Florida, they are typically most noticeable during the fall.

The tides are influenced by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, especially around new and full moons. Seasonal conditions also play a role.

Predictions, however, cannot account for everything.

Actual water levels may be higher or lower than forecast because of rainfall, storms, wind strength and direction, ocean conditions and other factors. A combination of high tides and unfavorable weather can increase the possibility of flooding.

Several periods of elevated tides expected

The South Florida Water Management District’s 2026 King Tide Season Forecast identifies several periods when elevated high tides are expected along Florida’s East Coast.

The first forecast period was Aug. 11 through Aug. 14, followed by another from Sept. 8 through Sept. 15.

A longer period began Sept. 24 and is expected to continue through Oct. 15.

Additional elevated tides are forecast from Oct. 22 through Nov. 12, Nov. 22 through Nov. 29 and Dec. 22 through Dec. 27.

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The annual maximum predicted peak for Florida’s East Coast is expected on Oct. 27.

During those periods, high tides could approach or rise above flood thresholds in some locations. Conditions will not necessarily be the same throughout South Florida, and actual water levels will depend on local circumstances.

Wind, rainfall and ocean currents can all change tidal elevations. Sea surface temperatures and other ocean conditions may also affect how high the water ultimately reaches.

For communities such as Hollywood, that means residents should remain aware of changing conditions rather than relying only on predicted tide levels.

Weekly forecasts provide updated information

The South Florida Water Management District provides a Weekly Tidal Outlook Forecast for people who want to follow conditions as the King Tide season continues.

Residents can sign up to receive the updates by email and select the King Tide Forecast option.

The district has also worked with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science to develop more detailed and locally customized tide predictions.

The enhanced forecasts begin with NOAA tide predictions but incorporate additional information that can affect actual water levels.

That includes sea level rise and meteorological conditions, along with ocean factors such as wind speed, wind direction, sea surface temperature and swell energy.

By adding these changing conditions to standard tide predictions, the forecasts are designed to provide a more detailed picture of what coastal communities could experience.

Automated King Tide forecasts are available through the South Florida Water Management District’s Resilience Metrics Hub.

Forecast information is currently available for seven tidal stations along Florida’s east and west coasts.

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Those stations are Virginia Key, Port Everglades, Lake Worth, Key West, Vaca Key, Naples/Naples Bay North and Fort Myers.

Conditions can change quickly

While King Tides can occur without storms, weather conditions can make their effects more significant.

Heavy rainfall occurring near a period of high tide may make it more difficult for water to drain from low-lying areas. Wind can also push additional water toward the coast, depending on its direction and strength.

Those variables are particularly important in areas already vulnerable to tidal flooding.

The 2026 forecast gives residents several windows when higher-than-usual tides are expected, but the exact impact will depend on conditions at the time.

With the Oct. 27 annual peak approaching, residents in Hollywood and elsewhere along Florida’s East Coast can use the weekly forecasts to follow changes in expected water levels.

The remaining King Tide periods continue through late December, meaning the potential for elevated tides will remain after the main fall peak has passed.

For Hollywood, where waterways and coastal areas are part of the city’s landscape, awareness of those periods can help residents prepare for the possibility of temporary tidal flooding as the 2026 King Tide season continues.