Monroe County Issues Warning as King Tides Peak This Week
Monroe County is urging residents and visitors to prepare as seasonal king tides reach a full moon window from December 2 through December 7, creating a heightened risk of coastal tidal flooding in low lying areas. The advisory matters locally because flooded streets and neighborhoods can disrupt travel, damage property, and complicate emergency response during heavy rain.
Monroe County Resiliency and Emergency Management is advising residents and visitors that seasonal high king tides, which occur each year from September through December, are peaking this week with a full moon window from December 2 through December 7, 2025. The county warns these unusually high tides can cause coastal tidal flooding, particularly in low lying areas, and urges people to avoid driving on flooded streets and to monitor weather and road conditions.
The advisory lists 2025 expected king tide dates and directs people to check the National Weather Service forecast for the Keys for the latest tidal and weather information. Heavy rainfall can amplify king tide effects, producing deeper and more hazardous flooding on streets and within neighborhoods. The county emphasizes preparation and situational awareness as tides combine with seasonal storms and localized runoff.
Residents are asked to document tidal flooding safely and to submit photographs to greenkeys@monroecounty-fl.gov with the address, date and time of the image for county documentation. That information will assist local officials in mapping vulnerable corridors and prioritizing public works and emergency response during and after high tide events.
Local impacts are practical and immediate. Flooded roadways reduce access for commuters and emergency vehicles, exacerbate property damage in low lying neighborhoods, and can interrupt tourism and small business activities that are central to island communities. For Monroe County, where much of the population and economy sit at or near sea level, repeated seasonal inundation underscores ongoing resilience challenges that require coordination among municipal services, residents, and visitors.
Beyond the immediate window of this week, king tides serve as an observable indicator of broader trends affecting coastal communities worldwide. Seasonal high tides already strain drainage and infrastructure, and when combined with heavy rain they can create localized emergencies that require timely public information and coordinated response. Monroe County continues to urge caution, advance planning, and prompt reporting of flooding so local agencies can respond and document impacts during this seasonal high tide period.
