Sandbags and barriers went up along the boardwalk on Hollywood Beach before sunrise as king tides arrived. About an hour later, the water spilled onto the streets, leaving Ocean Drive difficult to walk. Lawrence Cutler said he drove through about two feet of water on the way in and had to submerge twice, though he made it.
Hollywood Ocean Rescue said driving through floodwater is unsafe because saltwater can damage a vehicle’s engine. Floodwater also spread onto the back patio of George’s Bakery and Bistro. Marina Casora, a manager there, said pedestrians could use the back entrance, but drivers faced a problem.
A convenience store next door was not as lucky. Several inches of water got inside despite the sandbags.
Lifeguards said the tides are not ideal for swimming. Ramo Kline of Ocean Rescue said higher-than-usual winds and more swell are combining with the king tides to make waves rougher this week.
Anyone unsure about tide conditions can check the latest information by scanning a QR code on a lifeguard tower at the nearest stand, according to Hollywood Ocean Rescue.
