Fort Lauderdale Plans Raised Roads, Flood Barriers
City Commissioner Steve Glassman proposes elevated seawalls and flood-barrier funding as king tide flooding closes streets and homes.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Natural Disasters
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King tide flooding has hit Fort Lauderdale streets that had never flooded before, closing access to homes and businesses over the last two weeks. City Commissioner Steve Glassman has drafted a plan to raise roads, elevate seawalls and fund flood barriers.
Why it matters
Offshore winds pushed seawater into low-lying areas, and heavy rainfall and rising seas worsened the flooding, raising pressure on Fort Lauderdale residents and businesses. The proposal reflects a broader push across South Florida to manage tidal and stormwater flooding.
The city has set a 90-day deadline for staff to produce a flood-mitigation framework, but no cost estimates for the proposed measures were included in the extraction. Staff are still examining Glassman's proposal alongside other flood-mitigation options.
The players
Steve Glassman
Steve Glassman is a Fort Lauderdale city commissioner who drafted the proposal to raise roads, elevate seawalls and fund flood barriers.
The details
Glassman asked city staff to produce a flood-mitigation framework within 90 days. The proposal would raise roads, elevate seawalls and offer financial support for flood barriers on homes, while the city continues investing in stormwater drainage and flood-mitigation programs.
Timeline
Oct. 28: King tide and heavy rain flooding hit North Bay Village near Miami.
Early November: Flooding forced closure of a rehabilitation hospital in Melbourne, Florida.
Over the last two weeks: King tide flooding hit Fort Lauderdale streets and closed access to homes and businesses.
Within 90 days: City staff are expected to deliver the flood-mitigation framework.
Seasonal Patterns
Recurring king tide flooding in South Florida, which intensifies when offshore winds and heavy rain coincide with high tides, is the pattern Fort Lauderdale's new proposal responds to. Compared with the city's existing drainage investments, the plan signals a shift toward raising infrastructure itself.
Fort Lauderdale residents in low-lying areas should monitor king tide forecasts and avoid driving through standing water, which can be hazardous. Homeowners may want to check with the city about any future flood-barrier support once the framework is released.
The takeaway
Recurring king tide flooding is pushing South Florida cities to weigh raising infrastructure alongside drainage upgrades. Residents in affected areas should track the city's framework as it takes shape.
What happens next
City staff are expected to deliver the flood-mitigation framework within 90 days of Glassman's request.
Further reading
Explore more on Natural Disasters to see how coastal flooding is affecting South Florida communities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Insurance Journal.
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