King tides in Miami reach 2.54 feet, nearing Hurricane Wilma records

King tides in South Florida reached water levels comparable to major hurricanes on Tuesday, October 27, despite the absence of a tropical cyclone.

The Virginia Key station in Miami recorded a high tide of 2.54 feet above the average of the highest high tides. This figure ranks as the third highest measurement in the station's history. It sits just below the 2.55 feet recorded during Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and the 3.63 feet measured during Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Other coastal locations reported similarly elevated levels. The Lake Worth Pier in Palm Beach measured 2.70 feet, while Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale registered 2.51 feet. Experts note that direct comparison between these sites requires accounting for their specific tidal datums.

These peaks result from the interaction of astronomical tides, strong easterly and northeasterly winds, and heavy surf. This combination pushes water against the coastline, causing accumulation even without storm activity.

A rising sea level acts as a baseline that amplifies these natural events. Between 1995 and 2025, the sea level in Miami increased by approximately 3.9 inches. Human influence accounts for about 2.7 inches of that total rise.

This elevated baseline means king tides now occur on a higher platform. The result is a greater frequency, extent, and duration of coastal flooding, even in the absence of rainfall.