The highest astronomical tide of the year is happening this week, flooding is still a concern in Florida after Milton

St. Johns County – Severe flooding from Hurricane Milton has been slow to recede and will take time to drain into the St. Johns River.

The highest tides of the year known as “King Tides” occur this month which will hinder the receding floodwaters.

Drone video from the St. Johns River Water Management District shows how record-level flooding in Deep Creek located in St. Johns and Putnam counties has inundated homes, roads, and farm fields.

The highest astronomical tide of the year occurs on Wednesday, Oct. 17 when simply the pull of the moon and the sun’s gravity pulls river water levels a foot above the average high tide. A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for Clay and western St. Johns counties, but a greater concern is for Putnam and Flagler counties for moderate tidal flooding.

Water levels will rise by Wednesday evening and the rest of the week as high astronomical tides and breezy northeast winds push water levels at least 2 feet or a little higher.

Counties upstream in the St. Johns River basin could be dealing with elevated water levels for weeks due to heavy rainfall around the greater Orlando area draining northward into the St. Johns River headwaters.