Flood alerts and king tides in South Florida

A practical distinction between flood watches, flash flood warnings, coastal tides and road closures.

Watch vs. warning

A flood watch means flooding is possible in the specified area. A flood warning means flooding is occurring or expected soon. A flash flood warning is urgent. Read the latest warning directly from NWS Miami, including the location and expiration time.

King tides and rain

Coastal high tides can flood low-lying streets without significant rain. Heavy rain, coastal surge, drainage backups and king tides may have different causes. City and county roadway alerts are the best source of immediate closure information.

Travel and insurance

Never enter standing road water or drive around barricades. Document property impacts only when safe. Review FEMA's Flood Map Service Center to understand mapped zones; a low-risk mapping classification does not guarantee a property will stay dry.

Resource guide · Reviewed November 5, 2026. Verify conditions, schedules, restrictions, deadlines, and policy changes with the official provider linked above.