What Happened Over the Weekend with the King Tides in the West Avenue Phase 2 Construction Area?
See difference of elevation between the public sea wall and private property.
Dear Community Residents & Businesses,
Several factors contributed to the unusually high level of flooding experienced over the weekend on the west end of Lincoln Road, including Bay Road and Lincoln Court.
1. King Tides Exceeded Expected Levels
During the weekend, we experienced King Tides that were higher than the levels anticipated based on established tide statistics.
At this time, we do not have a definitive explanation for the higher-than-expected tide levels. However, the Nor’easter affecting the northern East Coast may have contributed to elevated water levels. Similar conditions were reported in other areas along the East Coast of Florida.
This is the highest recorder level in at least 15 years.
2. Existing Seawalls Below the Recommended New Elevation
The recommended elevation for seawalls is 5.7 feet NAVD (North American Vertical Datum of 1988).
The City has begun upgrading its seawalls, including the seawalls at the end of Lincoln Court and Bay Road along the canal. However, most of the remaining private seawalls in the area are below the recommended elevation, with the exception of one private property at the corner of Lincoln Road and Bay Road.
Most private seawalls may be 2 to 3 feet below the recommended elevation. Once water reaches these lower elevations, the rate and extent of flooding can increase significantly.
As a result, the overall level of protection in the area is based on the lowest remaining seawall elevation.
The only remaining public seawall below the recommended elevation on the west end of Lincoln Road is scheduled to be raised this coming month as part of West Avenue Phase 2.
For additional information, please visit the City's website:
https://www.mbrisingabove.com/climate-adaptation/public-infrastructure/seawalls/
3. Direct Connections Between Private Properties and the Bay
Many private properties along the bay continue to have stormwater drainage system directly connected to the bay.
During King Tides, these drainage connections can operate in reverse mode, allowing water from the bay to enter private properties and contributing to flooding.
These direct drainage connections to the bay may no longer meet current environmental requirements and may need to be redirected and filtered. Depending on the property's design and elevation, water can then accumulate at the lowest point on the property, which may include a private garage or the base of an elevator system.
4. New Stormwater Drainage System
The new stormwater drainage system being installed as part of West Avenue Phase 2 is already partially connected. However, some of the collection points throughout the surrounding streets have not yet been installed.
Environmental regulations also require protective measures at each drain and collection point to prevent debris and contaminants from entering the bay.
As some residents observed during the weekend, these protective measures may have contributed to the accumulation of debris at certain locations, including Lincoln Road, potentially restricting the flow of water.
On Monday, the City declared an emergency, which allowed the excess water resulting from the King Tides to be released into the bay at the canal location in the parklet near the corner of 17th Street and West Avenue.
In addition, one of the new pumps located beneath the parking lot next to the West Avenue Post Office was activated using a generator. This provided additional drainage capacity and should help improve water removal during similar events.
However, it is important to note that the full pump system, injection wells, and filtration system being installed as part of West Avenue Phase 2 are not yet operational.
5. What Can Residents Do to Improve Protection During King Tides?
West Avenue Phase 2 includes several improvements designed to increase the area's resilience to flooding, including:
New pumps.
Filtration systems.
Injection wells.
A substantially larger stormwater drainage system.
Increased street elevations.
Improvements to existing drainage infrastructure.
Once completed and operational, these improvements are expected to significantly increase the area's ability to manage and mitigate flooding during King Tides and other high-water events within reason.
The City is trying to be more proactive with the maintenance of the public drainage system.
In the meantime, residents who live in buildings along the bay need to initiate a discussion with their condominium or homeowners' association regarding:
The current elevation and condition of the property's seawall.
Any direct stormwater drainage connections between the property and the bay.
Whether the property may need an injection well or filtration system.
Measures that may be necessary to collect, treat, and manage stormwater on the property in accordance with applicable environmental requirements.
Addressing these private-property conditions will be an important part of improving overall flood protection in the area.
Stephan Ginez
Note: The information provided above has been compiled from information obtained from various sources. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the City of Miami Beach, the contractor responsible for West Avenue Phase 2, or any other governmental agency.
See Commissioner Alex Fernandez Message about the same issue:
Regards,
SoBe West Board