Severe king tide flooding has covered streets across several Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods, trapping some residents in their homes. Local king tide expert Dr. Nancy Gassman said the latest tides are about 6 inches higher than earlier king tides, and they are reaching new areas.
On Wednesday, Gassman led a tour of the hardest-hit spots alongside city employees. She said higher tides are now affecting the Himarshee district near downtown and Mayan Drive near the beach. “The number of tides has gone up, and the maximum height has gone up,” she said.
East of downtown, south of Sunrise Boulevard, resident Barbara Johnson said the water has been high enough that she could not walk out her front door. She said she is adapting and that the city is doing what it can. Near the beach, water surrounded the Church by the Sea, and visitors in town for the boat show said they could not reach their home.
To reduce flooding, the city has raised miles of seawalls and installed tidal valves to prevent backflow. It is also spending millions more on flood-prevention work. Parks and Recreation Director Carl Williams said seeing the flooding firsthand will shape future projects, including changes to landscaping and open spaces.
