BOSTON – The combination of spring tides, a storm system off the northeast coast, significant onshore currents, and the remnants of potential Tropical Cyclone Eight are causing significant problems along coasts from New England to Florida, with impacts expected to last into the first week of astronomical fall.
National weather services in the region have issued warnings for hundreds of miles, affecting more than 50 million people, warning coastal residents, boaters and beachgoers of the dangers and impacts.
Flooding is expected on the banks of the Potomac in Washington, DC and Alexandria, Virginia, with the nation’s capital experiencing flooding through early Tuesday. A coastal flood warning is in effect for the Mid-Atlantic, where tides of 2 feet above normal are expected.
Boats were thrown from their moorings in Massachusetts, at least two homes collapsed in North Carolina, streets were flooded in the Carolinas, and at least one swimmer was reported missing on Jacksonville Beach in Florida – all due to rough surf.
“The northeasterly flow, combined with the effects of the full moon, has wreaked havoc along parts of the east coast from Downeast Maine to Florida,” the NWS office in Boston said.
FOURTH HOUSE COLLAPSES INTO THE SURF ON THE OUTER BANKS OF NORTH CAROLINA
The impact zone includes abandoned homes around Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina, where two buildings collapsed into the sea within 24 hours.
No one was injured in the collapse, but the beach is closed to swimmers due to debris in the water.
“Due to potentially hazardous debris on the beach and in the water north and south of the collapse site, it may be necessary to temporarily close the beaches for public safety reasons. … National Park Service personnel will be back on the beach today to assist in clearing debris above the high tide line,” National Park Service officials said.
Since 2020, at least nine homes in the immediate area have collapsed as storms and Mother Nature worked to reclaim the beach.
Flooding at high tide was so severe that authorities on Pawleys Island, South Carolina, warned visitors to temporarily avoid some of the roads.
“It’s a beautiful day here on Pawleys Island! However, we advise all visitors to be extra cautious during today’s high tide season. We are in a spring tide cycle that has caused flooding on many sections of our roadways this week… Please be aware that this tidal water is not so good for your car. If you are driving through a flooded section of road, please drive very slowly to minimize impacts to adjacent roadways,” the city posted on Facebook.
Several damaged homes hang precariously on Nicole’s washed-out Florida cliff
Elevated water levels and rough seas are expected to persist as storm systems continue to traverse the Atlantic basin and the Moon approaches perigee, its closest point to Earth.
Due to the increased gravitational force of Earth’s only natural satellite, coastal communities experience above-average water levels, known as spring tides.
There are two more supermoon cycles to come this year: the Hunter’s Moon in October and the Beaver Moon on November 15th.
The FOX Forecast Center expects beaches and coastal communities, particularly on the East Coast, to continue to experience intermittent high tide issues over the next two months, including flooding, erosion and an increased risk of surf backwash.
The danger of rip currents remains high on beaches in Jacksonville, Florida, and from North Carolina to New York on Sunday.
Source of the original article: Coastal storm and spring tides cause dangerous beach conditions and flooding on the East Coast
