King tides put water on Flagler Drive
Plus the 49th Street closure already underway and the downtown plan's Oct. 6 public meeting.
Monday's king tide pushed water onto parts of Flagler Drive, and the city expects elevated high tides through Oct. 15. On the roads, the 49th Street rail crossing is closed until Thursday evening. The Banyan Boulevard crossing then closes from 6 p.m. Thursday until 6 p.m. Saturday, which covers all of Saturday's GreenMarket season opener.
King tide flooding reached parts of Flagler Drive on Monday, including the South End, CBS12 reported. The National Weather Service warned of moderate coastal flooding along the Palm Beach County coast at high tide.
The city's 2026 tide calendar puts West Palm Beach in an elevated-tide window from Sept. 24 through Oct. 15. The next window runs Oct. 22 through Nov. 12. Water typically appears 1.5 to 2 hours before and after high tide. Heavy rain or strong winds can push tides higher and keep water on the ground longer.
The city advises:
Don't drive or wade through floodwater. It can be deeper than it looks and can carry debris and pollutants. Don't park in low-lying spots. If you touch floodwater, wash your skin with soap and hot water. Boaters should expect less clearance under fixed bridges.
To report king tide flooding in your neighborhood, call 561-822-2185.
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Two rail crossings close back to back
Crossing work on the FEC/Brightline tracks is closing two city crossings in a row.
49th Street: fully closed from 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, until 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. Under the contractor's detour plan, through traffic is detoured and only local traffic may approach the crossing. The sidewalk at the crossing is closed.
Banyan Boulevard: fully closed from 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, until 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. Only local traffic may approach the crossing, and the sidewalks and bike lane there are closed. Message boards direct drivers to a detour via Tamarind Avenue. Under the plan, business and local access stay open at both sites.
The Banyan closure runs all day Saturday, so it covers the whole GreenMarket season opener downtown.
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Downtown plan clears the Planning Board; public meeting Oct. 6
On Sept. 15, the Planning Board unanimously recommended approval of the comprehensive plan amendments tied to the Downtown Master Plan update. The vote is a recommendation, not a final decision.
The city's posted schedule for the next steps:
Community meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 5:30 p.m., Flagler Gallery at City Hall, 401 Clematis St. Planning Board: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m., Commission Chambers. City Commission: Monday, Oct. 26, 5 p.m., Commission Chambers.
Three points from the board discussion are new:
Developers seeking extra height and density would face stronger affordable housing requirements. Planning Director Anna Maria Ponte said the goal is for every new downtown project to support affordable housing construction. City data showed Okeechobee Boulevard between Australian and Rosemary avenues running at roughly 98 to 99 percent of planning capacity. Officials said they are weighing tougher construction-management rules covering traffic plans, truck routes, staging areas, worker parking and enforcement.
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Oktoberfest comes to Clematis by Night Thursday
Clematis by Night goes Bavarian on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Centennial Square & Great Lawn, 100 N. Clematis St. Admission is free.
The DeLeon Family Oktoberfest Band, three generations of accordion players, plays traditional Bavarian music and contemporary Oktoberfest favorites. There's a beer tent and Oktoberfest food, an onstage stein-holding contest hosted by the band, and Oktoberfest trivia during the second band break. Local nonprofit groups will be there too. The Banyan Boulevard rail crossing closes at 6 p.m. that night, as the event begins. Questions go to the city's Community Events Division at (561) 822-1515 or events@wpb.org.