Record-breaking king tides are flooding coastal streets in Southern California and the southeastern United States this week, setting new high-tide records in Los Angeles and Miami — and forecasters warn more flooding is coming with rain and the next new moon.
A new high tide record was set at Los Angeles Harbor on October 26, while Miami has set new records on four of the last five days, according to meteorologists. In South Florida, a coastal flood warning covers the Atlantic coast from Palm Beach County through Fort Lauderdale and Miami down to the upper Florida Keys, with major coastal flooding possible through Wednesday.
Several factors are lining up at once: the full moon on October 26, warmer-than-normal ocean waters, El Niño, a Kelvin wave pushing higher sea levels toward California, offshore storms, and long-term sea level rise making every seasonal high tide a little higher.
High tides along South Florida's east coast are forecast to peak through November 12, according to the South Florida Water Management District. A similar round of flooding may return with the new moon in about two weeks. Safety officials remind residents: never drive through flooded roads — most flood deaths happen in vehicles.
Facts: USA Today / National Weather Service, Oct 26, 2026. Original rewrite.
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