High Tide Flooding Hitting Records, with More Expected

Coastal communities in eight locations along the East and West coasts experienced record high tide flooding last year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The data reflects the increasing frequency of high tide flooding across the U.S., due to continued sea level rise that is driven in part by climate change. Additionally, NOAA predicts more high tide flooding over the next year given the effects of a strengthening of El Niño.

NOAA provided the data in its 2023 Annual High Tide Flooding Outlook, which was released earlier this week. It found three coastal communities saw a record-breaking number of high tide flood days. Trident Pier, Florida, saw 16 days, two more than in 2020. Vaca Key, Florida, saw two days, one more than in 2017. Magueyes Island, Puerto Rico, saw two days, which increased from one event in 1998. Meanwhile, five locations tied their previous records, including Kiptopeke, Virginia (11 days, tied with 1997); Fort Pulaski, Georgia (13 days, tied with 2019); Fernandina Beach, Florida (9 days, tied with 2015); Naples, Florida (3 days, tied with 2017); and Port Townsend, Washington (13 days, tied with 1982). Meanwhile, NOAA also predicts from May 2023 to April 2024 the U.S. will experience between four to nine high tide flood days – an increase from last year’s prediction of three to seven days and about three times as many than typically occurred in 2000. NOAA attributes its prediction to the expected strengthening of El Niño, whose conditions will compound the effects of sea level rise in some areas. With the release of its Outlook, NOAA also reminds coastal communities about a new tool it made available this year to help them better understand when and where high tide flooding may occur. The Monthly High Tide Flooding Outlook provides the likelihood of high tide flooding for each day in the calendar year, up to a year in advance, at NOAA tide gauge locations across the country. This tool does not account for real-time conditions or weather forecasts. However, it provides critical situational awareness about windows of time that have higher flooding risks. Read more at NOAA.