King tides cause widespread coastal flooding across US coasts

Powerful king tides have caused significant flooding along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States. In California, record-breaking water levels have inundated low-lying communities from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area. Notable impacts include the flooding of streets, homes, and businesses, as well as the closure of major transportation corridors such as parts of the Pacific Coast Highway in Orange County. In Northern California, specifically Marin County, high tides submerged bike paths and roads, leading to sightings of kayakers and paddleboarders navigating through flooded thoroughfares.

On the East Coast, Florida’s Atlantic coast has faced major saltwater flooding, with tide gauges in Miami recording some of the highest water levels in recent history. Coastal flood warnings have been issued for a 500-mile stretch of coastline spanning from the Florida Keys to southeast Georgia.

Meteorologists attribute the severity of this event to a combination of astronomical tides and environmental factors. In California, an ongoing super El Niño has warmed ocean temperatures, while the occurrence of Kelvin waves—pulses of warm water that lift sea levels—has exacerbated the surge. In Florida, atmospheric pressure differences between the north and the Caribbean have contributed to increased swells.