Dangerous Beach Conditions Persist Along Florida’s East Coast as Situation Worsens

Dangerous beach conditions will persist along Florida’s east coast through Thursday, with Coastal Flood Warnings, High Surf Advisories and Gale Warnings in effect.

NWS Melbourne says persistent, strong northeasterly winds combined with high astronomical tides will maintain dangerous conditions through this week.

Its coastal products stay in effect until 2 a.m. Thursday.

Avoid the beaches and do not enter the ocean.

NWS Melbourne Coastal Hazards Outlook graphic updated October 26, 2026, showing Monday to Thursday coastal wind gusts, rough breaking surf, rip currents and coastal flooding for east central Florida
NWS Melbourne Coastal Hazards Outlook, updated Oct. 26: hazardous beach conditions persist, with all coastal products in effect until 2 a.m. Thursday. Image: NWS Melbourne.

Record-Level Tides

King tides combined with persistent northeast winds produced significant coastal flooding along Florida’s east coast.

NWS Melbourne reports a preliminary crest of 3.02 feet above MHHW at Trident Pier Monday morning.

That is the highest non-tropical water level observed there since 1994.

Source: NWS Melbourne on X

Coastal Flood Warnings

East central Florida: warning until 2 a.m. EDT Thursday for Coastal Volusia, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties, and Northern and Southern Brevard, including the barrier islands.

NWS Melbourne expects significant coastal flooding and significant shoreline erosion.

Northeast Florida beaches: warning until 2 a.m. EDT Thursday for Coastal Nassau, Coastal Duval, Coastal Flagler, and Northeast and Southeast Coastal St. Johns.

NWS Jacksonville expects moderate to possibly major flooding around high tide.

St. Johns River Basin: warning until 2 a.m. Thursday for moderate flooding around high tide in Inland Flagler, Eastern Clay, Eastern Putnam, Trout River, South Central Duval and Western St. Johns.

Coastal Palm Beach County: NWS Miami has a warning until 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday for significant coastal flooding.

Impacts: numerous roads may be closed, and low-lying homes, businesses and some critical infrastructure will be inundated.

Source: NWS Miami on X

High Surf and Rip Currents

East central Florida: High Surf Advisory until 2 a.m. EDT Thursday, with breaking waves of 7 to 11 feet.

Northeast Florida: advisory until 8 a.m. EDT Wednesday, with waves of 8 to 10 feet.

Coastal Palm Beach County: advisory until 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, with waves of 8 to 13 feet.

A High Rip Current Risk continues through late Wednesday night in east central and northeast Florida, and through Wednesday evening in Palm Beach County.

NWS Melbourne expects moderate to locally major beach erosion.

Gale Warnings and Small Craft Advisories

Flagler Beach to Sebastian Inlet, 0 to 20 nautical miles: Gale Warning until 2 a.m. Tuesday, with northeast winds of 25 to 30 knots, gusts to 35 knots and seas of 10 to 12 feet.

A Small Craft Advisory follows from 2 a.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Thursday.

Sebastian Inlet to Jupiter Inlet, and 20 to 60 nautical miles offshore: Gale Warning until 2 a.m. Wednesday, with seas of 12 to 15 feet.

A Small Craft Advisory follows from 2 a.m. Wednesday to 2 a.m. Thursday.

Jupiter Inlet to Ocean Reef, including Biscayne Bay: NWS Miami has a Gale Warning until 8 a.m. Wednesday, with winds of 25 to 30 knots, gusts to 35 knots and seas of 9 to 14 feet.

A Small Craft Advisory follows from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Strong winds could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

Winds on Land

NWS Melbourne extended its Wind Advisory to much of the interior of east central Florida through 8 p.m. Monday.

It continues along the coast tonight through 8 a.m. Tuesday, with gusts of 35 to 40 mph.

Source: NWS Melbourne on X

NWS Jacksonville says tidal flooding Monday was 0.2 to 0.5 feet higher than the previous day’s peak for most areas.

Source: NWS Jacksonville on X

Stay Safe

Do not drive through flooded roads or around barricades. Salt water can damage cars.

Stay out of the water. If caught in a rip current, relax and float, then swim parallel to the shore.

Mariners should stay in port or seek safe harbor.

Local forecasts and alerts: NWS Melbourne, NWS Jacksonville and NWS Miami.

 

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