Potential for Major Coastal Flooding continued to increase for the Florida Keys.
- Prolonged strong northeasterly winds across Florida and offshore the Southeastern United States through into the middle of this week combined with the very recent full moon phase “spring tide” cycle will increase water levels to well-above the levels on tide prediction charts.
- With Coastal Flood Warnings continuing for the Upper Florida Keys, moderate saltwater flooding over the Middle and Lower Florida Keys is likely to escalate to major coastal flooding by Wednesday night, and continue through at least Thursday night.
- The highest water levels are likely to occur during the nighttime hours of the middle of this week, including Tuesday and Wednesday nights for the Upper Keys, and Wednesday and Thursday nights for the Lower and Middle Florida Keys.
- Increasing depth of saltwater flooding of low elevation streets, parking lots, yards, and the overtopping of docks will likely be observed as we approach the peak water levels the middle of this week. Streets were king tide flooding is normally observed each autumn may become impassable to smaller vehicles. Low elevation residences and businesses where access and parking are frequently impacted by annual king tide flooding may experience water intrusion and a few inches of flooding.
- For the Upper Florida Keys and Manatee Bay, plan for water levels to potentially reach 4 to 6 inches higher by Tuesday night than what was experienced late Sunday evening/early pre-dawn Monday morning.
- For the Middle and Lower Florida Keys, plan for water levels to potentially reach around 6 inches higher by Wednesday night than what was experienced late Sunday evening/early pre-dawn Monday morning.
Wind Gusts
- Sustained north to northeast winds will increase to 25 to 30 mph atop the higher Keys bridges today (Monday), with frequent gusts of 35 to 40 mph. The bridges that are more likely to experience significant crosswinds with the forecast wind direction include Niles Channel, Channel Five, and Jewfish Creek.