Florida and Georgia coastal flood warnings, October 2026: what homeowners should do

The highest astronomical tides of the year and days of strong northeast wind are pushing seawater into streets, yards and low-lying homes along Florida's Atlantic coast and the southeast Georgia beaches this weekend. The National Weather Service has Coastal Flood Warnings in effect from Glynn County, Georgia, south through Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Daytona Beach and the Space Coast to Martin County, and for the Upper Florida Keys, with a Coastal Flood Watch for Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade. NWS Jacksonville expects the peak during the Sunday and Monday high tides, October 25 and 26, 2026. This is not a tropical storm, so there will be no hurricane warnings, but the water damage is still flood damage, and standard homeowners insurance does not pay for it.

This page reflects NWS warnings, forecast discussions and NOAA tide gauge readings as of about 9 a.m. EDT on Saturday, October 24, 2026. We will update it as the event unfolds. For the warning that applies to your address, check your local NWS office: Jacksonville, Melbourne, Miami or Key West.

Why is the water so high this weekend?

Two things are stacking up. First, the tides themselves are unusually high. NWS Jacksonville's forecast discussion issued at 6:30 a.m. EDT on October 24 says "the highest astronomical tides of the year arrive" with the full moon on October 25 and 26, and the lunar perigee (the moon's closest approach to Earth) on October 28 keeps tides high through the coming week. (NWS Jacksonville Area Forecast Discussion) NOAA explains that these exceptionally high "king tides" happen when a new or full moon lines up with perigee. (NOAA, What is a king tide?)

Second, the wind is piling water against the coast. A large high pressure system over the Northeast and an area of low pressure near the Bahamas are squeezing the pressure gradient over Florida, which keeps a strong northeast wind blowing onshore for several days. (NWS Key West forecast discussion; NWS Melbourne forecast discussion) The National Hurricane Center's outlook at 8 a.m. EDT Saturday said tropical cyclone formation is not expected in the Atlantic during the next 7 days. (NHC Tropical Weather Outlook) NOAA notes that strong winds and tidal forces at full or new moon can push water above the normal high tide line even on sunny days. (NOAA, high tide flooding)

Which areas are under coastal flood warnings?

Area	NWS product (as of Oct. 24 morning)	Timing	What NWS expects
Coastal Glynn and Camden (GA), Coastal Nassau (FL)	Coastal Flood Warning, NWS Jacksonville	5 p.m. Sat. Oct. 24 to 8 p.m. Mon. Oct. 26	Significant coastal flooding; numerous roads may close; low-lying homes and businesses inundated
Coastal Duval (Jacksonville beaches)	Coastal Flood Warning, NWS Jacksonville	5 a.m. Sat. to 8 p.m. Mon.	Significant coastal flooding; breaking waves of 7 to 11 feet
St. Johns River basin: South Central Duval, eastern Clay, eastern Putnam, western St. Johns, inland Flagler, Trout River	Coastal Flood Warning, NWS Jacksonville	Through 8 p.m. Mon.	Significant tidal flooding along the river and its tributaries
Coastal Flagler and coastal St. Johns (St. Augustine area)	Coastal Flood Warning, NWS Jacksonville	5 p.m. Sat. to 8 p.m. Mon.	Significant coastal flooding; breaking waves of 7 to 11 feet
Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin coasts	Coastal Flood Warning, NWS Melbourne	2 a.m. Sun. Oct. 25 to 8 p.m. Mon.	Minor to moderate coastal flooding; moderate to major beach erosion; breaking waves of 6 to 12 feet
Coastal Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade	Coastal Flood Watch, NWS Miami	Late Sat. night through Mon. evening	Significant coastal flooding possible
Upper Florida Keys	Coastal Flood Warning, NWS Key West	Until 5 a.m. Sun. Oct. 25 (Middle and Lower Keys under an advisory)	Major saltwater flooding around high tide, with little relief at low tide

For the Jacksonville area, NWS expects water levels of 2 to 3 feet above Mean Higher High Water (MHHW, the average of the highest daily tide) on Saturday evening's high tide, then 2.5 to 3.5 feet above MHHW during the Sunday and Monday high tides. It describes the flooding as moderate to potentially major along the Atlantic coast, the Intracoastal Waterway and the whole St. Johns River basin, with minor to moderate tidal flooding possible for much of the coming week. NWS Key West's forecast discussion says there will be little relief in coastal and marine impacts "into at least the middle of next week." Warnings are often extended, so check for updates before each high tide.

How high has the water been so far?

Provisional NOAA tide gauge readings, relative to MHHW, as of Saturday morning:

• Fernandina Beach: 2.05 feet above MHHW at 8:18 a.m. EDT on October 24. (NOAA station 8720030)
• Mayport (Bar Pilots Dock), at the mouth of the St. Johns River: 1.80 feet above MHHW at 8:12 a.m. EDT on October 24. (NOAA station 8720218)
• Virginia Key (Miami): 1.98 feet above MHHW at 7:12 a.m. EDT on October 23. (NOAA station 8723214)

Those Saturday morning readings are already in the range NWS Jacksonville forecast for that tide, and the forecast peak on Sunday and Monday is roughly another foot higher. NWS also warns that heavy rain bands moving onshore in northeast Florida on Saturday afternoon and night could make flooding worse if they arrive near high tide. (NWS Jacksonville)

Does homeowners insurance cover coastal or tidal flooding?

No. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program says most homeowners and renters insurance does not cover flood damage, and only a flood policy pays to repair it. (FloodSmart, buy a policy) That applies to seawater pushed in by tides and wind just as it does to storm surge in a hurricane. Our explainer on storm surge vs. flooding covers how insurers sort water damage.

If you do not have flood insurance, a policy bought this weekend will not cover this event. FloodSmart says NFIP coverage goes into effect 30 days after purchase, with limited exceptions. (FloodSmart) It can still protect you before the next high tide season. The rules are in our guide to the NFIP waiting period. Condo owners should check what the association's master flood policy covers; see condo flood insurance.

What should homeowners do before the Sunday and Monday high tides?

1. Know your high tide times. NWS Melbourne says the flooding should peak around high tide, roughly 5 to 7 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. on the east central Florida coast. (NWS Melbourne) Times differ by location, so check the NOAA gauge or your local NWS office.
2. Move vehicles and belongings to higher ground. NWS warnings for these areas tell residents to "take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property." Lift items off garage and ground floors.
3. Do not drive through flooded streets. NWS says not to drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth, and Key West's advisory notes that standing water around high tide almost certainly contains saltwater. (NWS flood safety)
4. Photograph your property now. Pictures of the house, seawall, dock and contents before the peak make a flood claim easier to document.
5. Find your flood policy number and your insurer's claim line. If you rent, your landlord's policy does not cover your belongings.

How do I file a flood claim if water gets in?

FEMA's guidance for NFIP policyholders (FloodSmart, start a claim; NFIP claims checklist):

1. Report the loss to your flood insurance provider as soon as possible. The provider should assign an adjuster who contacts you within 48 hours.
2. Document before you clean. Photograph the damage and the water line, and do not throw anything away before the adjuster sees it unless it is a health hazard.
3. Dry out quickly. Standard NFIP policies do not cover mold damage. See mold after flooding.
4. Send your documentation within 60 days of the flood, or within the timeframe your adjuster gives you. For flooding on October 25, 2026, day 60 is December 24, 2026. A denial can be appealed to FEMA within 60 days of the denial letter.

The full process is in our flood insurance claim guide.

For the longer-term picture, see flood risk for homes in Florida, flood risk for homes in Georgia and the Jacksonville home risk profile.

Quick answers

When is the coastal flooding expected to peak in northeast Florida?

NWS Jacksonville expects the highest water during the Sunday and Monday high tides, October 25 and 26, 2026, at 2.5 to 3.5 feet above Mean Higher High Water, with minor to moderate tidal flooding possible for much of the following week.

Is this a tropical storm or hurricane?

No. The flooding comes from the year's highest tides plus a strong, long-lasting northeast wind. The National Hurricane Center said on the morning of October 24 that no tropical cyclone formation is expected in the Atlantic in the next 7 days.

Does homeowners insurance cover king tide flooding?

No. Most homeowners and renters policies exclude flood damage, including seawater from high tides. Only a flood insurance policy, such as one from the NFIP, covers it.

Can I buy flood insurance now for this weekend's flooding?

No. NFIP coverage normally starts 30 days after purchase, so a policy bought now will not pay for flooding this weekend. It will be in force for future events.

Sources

• National Weather Service coastal hazard messages, October 23 and 24, 2026: Jacksonville, Melbourne, Miami, Key West
• National Weather Service Area Forecast Discussions, October 24, 2026: Jacksonville (6:30 a.m. EDT), Melbourne (6:48 a.m. EDT), Key West (4:53 a.m. EDT)
• NOAA Tides and Currents, provisional water levels retrieved October 24, 2026: Fernandina Beach 8720030, Mayport 8720218, Virginia Key 8723214
• National Hurricane Center, Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook, 8 a.m. EDT October 24, 2026
• NOAA National Ocean Service: What is a king tide?; What is high tide flooding?
• FEMA NFIP: Buy a flood insurance policy (coverage, 30-day waiting period); How to start a flood insurance claim; NFIP claims checklist
• National Weather Service, flood safety