NWS: Moderate to major coastal flooding during high tide through weekend
Tidal flooding at the Sea Isle City boat ramp in April 2014. (Photo: Ben Wurst)
The National Weather Service is advising coastal residents to take precautions as moderate to major tidal flooding is likely through Sunday.
According to forecasters, the flooding concern is not related to Hurricane Joaquin, which is now forecast to head out to sea and not strike the Eastern Seaboard.
Rather, the combination of a stalled front off the Mid-Atlantic coast and a strengthening high pressure in Canada is creating windy conditions and a strong onshore flow, piling up water along the coast, according to a forecast discussion from the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, N.J.
In the back bays, the strong onshore flow will hinder tides from receding before the subsequent high tides, the discussion states.
Accordingly, a Coastal Flood Warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday.
From the National Weather Service warning bulletin:
WIDESPREAD TIDAL FLOODING WILL OCCUR THROUGH MULTIPLE SUCCESSIVE HIGH TIDE CYCLES THROUGH THIS WEEKEND. TIDES WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE TODAY AND PROBABLY PEAK AT SIMILAR LEVELS ON THE WEEKEND. A BUILDING SURGE INTO SATURDAY COMBINED WITH 6 TO 10 FOOT BREAKING WAVES AND PERIODS OF MODERATE OR HEAVY RAIN WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE TIDAL INUNDATION FLOODING.
HIGH TIDE ON THE OCEANFRONT WILL START AROUND 1130 AM THIS MORNING AND MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. HIGH TIDE ON THE BACK BAYS AND ALONG THE RARITAN BAY OCCURS LATER THAN THE HIGH TIDE ON THE OCEANFRONT.
Additionally, moderate beach erosion is likely due to the higher tides and wave action, according to the bulletin.
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