Miami, Florida — Exceptionally high king tides have flooded streets, yards and coastal areas in Florida and California, with some locations recording their highest coastal water levels in more than a century. The flooding has affected homes, vehicles, roads and waterfront businesses as several environmental and weather-related factors combine to push water levels higher.

Videos circulating on social media have shown flooded backyards and streets in Florida, while powerful waves have crashed along Southern California’s coastline near expensive waterfront properties. In Orange County, the Balboa Island Ferry was temporarily closed to vehicles because the water level left the ferry floating unusually high above its loading ramp.

The flooding is linked to the full Hunter’s Moon and unusually high tides, but experts say the situation involves more than the lunar cycle. Rising sea levels, warmer ocean waters, a developing El Niño climate pattern and ocean circulation changes are also contributing to the conditions.

Record Coastal Water Levels Hit California and Florida

California has experienced some of the most striking water-level measurements during the latest flooding event.

According to extreme weather and climate change expert Dr. Jeff Masters, San Diego recorded coastal water levels of 2.72 feet, while Los Angeles reached 2.53 feet. Both measurements were described as the highest coastal water levels recorded in more than a century.

In Newport Beach, the flooding affected the property known as the “Pirate House,” which is recognizable for its numerous pirate figures and outdoor decorations. According to the Orange County Register, fire crews helped place sandbags around the home as community members gathered nearby.

Florida also recorded significant flooding.

At South Port Everglades, water levels reached 2.25 feet above ground on Monday, surpassing a record associated with Hurricane Nicole in 2022, according to Fox Weather.

In West Palm Beach, a Corvette and a Ferrari were among the vehicles caught in floodwater on a roadway. Flooding also affected Martin County, where Danny Weis, a worker at Manatee Marina, told Fox Weather that the rising water began causing problems Monday and forced staff to move equipment.

Weis noted that the area experiences flooding every year, but conditions in 2026 had been worse.

Monday also ranked among the five highest flood events on record at Lake Worth, Virginia Key and the Kennedy Space Center area, according to the reported information.

What Is Causing the King Tide Flooding?

King tides are exceptionally high tides that occur naturally when the gravitational effects of the moon and sun combine to produce higher-than-usual water levels.

According to the National Ocean Service, these tides typically occur when the sun, moon and Earth are aligned or nearly aligned. Their gravitational forces combine, creating a larger tidal range and higher high tides.

However, the current flooding is occurring against a changing climate background.

Sea-level rise caused by human-driven climate change means coastal water levels are already higher than they would otherwise be. When exceptionally high astronomical tides occur, even a relatively small additional rise in water level can push water into streets, yards and other low-lying areas.

Warmer ocean water can also contribute to rising sea levels because water expands as it warms.

Climate scientist Daniel Swain of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources said that rising sea levels were receiving significant direct and indirect contributions from El Niño, along with the underlying warming of the ocean.

The combination can make an unusually high tide more disruptive than a similar event would have been decades ago.

How El Niño and Ocean Waves May Be Contributing

The Pacific Ocean is also playing a role in the broader conditions.

El Niño is a climate pattern associated with warmer-than-average surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. Its effects extend beyond the tropics, influencing atmospheric circulation, weather patterns and ocean conditions in different regions.

The developing El Niño pattern is one of the factors being considered in the current elevated water levels.

Another factor is a type of ocean disturbance known as a Kelvin wave. These waves can transport warm water along the equatorial Pacific and contribute to changes in sea level and ocean temperature.

The effects of these processes vary by location, and they do not explain every instance of coastal flooding on their own.

In Florida, local weather conditions are adding to the concern. Strong winds, with gusts reported between 30 and 40 mph, have affected coastal areas. Wind direction and strength can influence how water accumulates along the shoreline, potentially worsening flooding in vulnerable locations.

When Could Flooding Get Worse Again?

The immediate forecast calls for continued high-water concerns across parts of the country.

Peak flooding was expected to continue through Wednesday in the Southeast, while coastal flooding concerns in California were projected to last through Thursday. Parts of the Carolinas were also expected to face flooding during the week.

The timing and severity of impacts will depend on local tide cycles, weather conditions, wind patterns and the height of the ocean water.

Looking further ahead, exceptionally high tides could return around the November and December holiday periods, particularly when full moons and supermoons coincide with favorable conditions for higher water levels.

Florida is also expected to face potential impacts during these periods, although the precise timing and severity will depend on updated forecasts.

What Coastal Residents Should Watch For

People living near the coast should monitor local tide predictions, coastal flood advisories and weather alerts. Roads that remain passable during ordinary high tides can become hazardous when water levels rise above normal.

Residents should avoid driving through floodwater because depth and road conditions can be difficult to judge. Waterfront businesses may also need to move equipment, secure loose items and prepare for temporary access disruptions when flooding is forecast.

The latest event demonstrates how natural tidal cycles can become more disruptive when combined with higher baseline sea levels, changing ocean temperatures and local weather conditions.

With additional high tides expected in the coming months, coastal communities in Florida, California and the Carolinas will need to pay close attention to forecasts and prepare for the possibility of repeated flooding.

Have you seen king tide flooding in your area this week? Share your location and what conditions have been like near you in the comments below.