WTF is Happening
You look outside after a typical Miami rainstorm, and the streets are flooded. No hurricane. No King Tide. Just rain.
So what the flood is going on?
The answer is that Miami floods for a few different reasons—and they're all making each other worse.
A "Caution Flooded Street" sign marks a flooded residential block in Miami-Dade County — no hurricane required. Rising seas and overwhelmed stormwater systems mean Miami flooding areas like this are becoming an everyday reality.
We're a Low-Lying City
First, Miami sits only about six feet above sea level on average. As sea levels rise, flooding becomes more common.
In fact, Miami has experienced about five inches of sea-level rise over the last 15 years, contributing to roughly 400% more flooding events.
We've Paved Over Places Where Water Used to Go
Second, we've covered much of the ground with concrete. Roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and buildings leave less space for rainwater to soak into the earth.
Instead, water runs off hard surfaces, collects in streets, and puts more pressure on our drainage systems.
Water Is Rising From Below, Too
And here's the part that surprises most people: water isn't only coming from above.
Beneath Miami is a porous limestone foundation connected to Biscayne Bay and the surrounding waterways. As sea levels rise, groundwater rises too.
In some places, floodwater can literally push up from below.
Why Even Small Storms Cause Big Problems
None of these issues happens in isolation.
Higher seas raise groundwater levels. More pavement means rain has fewer places to go. When storms hit, all those factors combine to make even a relatively small rainstorm feel like a flood.
That's why flooding is becoming more common throughout Miami. The good news? Understanding the problem is the first step toward solving it.
Because if flooding is caused by multiple factors working together, the next question is obvious: What the flood can we do about it?
TAKE ACTION
What the Flood Are We Waiting For?
Miami's flooding problem isn't a mystery. We know what's causing it. We know what can help. What we need now is action.
Every year, our elected officials make decisions about stormwater infrastructure, coastal resilience, water quality, and development.
Sign the petition to tell them: Protect our neighborhoods and Biscayne Bay. Invest in stormwater infrastructure.