With tides rising faster than morning coffee boils, coastal communities across the Eastern Seaboard are now on high alert after the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Coastal Flood Advisory late last night.
From New Jersey’s barrier islands to the low-lying marshes of North Carolina, residents are reporting flooded roads, stranded vehicles, and temporary business closures as seawater pushes inland during high tide hours.
🌊 Streets Turn Into Streams
In parts of Virginia Beach, emergency crews were seen placing barricades near Atlantic Avenue as water covered roads near the boardwalk. Similar scenes unfolded in Ocean City, Maryland, where early morning commuters were forced to reroute due to knee-deep water on coastal streets.
“It came in fast — one minute we were dry, and the next, the parking lot was underwater,” said local business owner Jenna Morales from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
📈 What’s Causing It?
This round of flooding is being driven by:
- A full moon boosting tidal activity
- Persistent onshore winds from the Atlantic
- Residual swells from Hurricane Erin, still swirling offshore
Experts warn that even without direct storm impact, these factors can combine to push seawater into low-elevation zones, especially during afternoon and evening high tides.
🛠️ Communities Step Up
Local authorities have sprung into action:
- Sandbag stations have opened in Cape May, NJ and Nags Head, NC
- Schools in flood-prone zones are on flexible schedules or early dismissal
- Marina operators and fishers are being urged to secure equipment and vessels
🔊 Officials Speak
“We’re treating this advisory seriously,” said Chief Emergency Officer Carla Dorsey in Norfolk. “It may not look like a storm outside, but the ocean tells a different story. Respect the tide.”
With climate change contributing to rising sea levels, experts note that coastal flood advisories are becoming more frequent — and residents will need to adjust accordingly.
📝 Advisory Details
- Type: Coastal Flood Advisory
- Effective Until: 10 AM Thursday (subject to extension)
- Risk Areas: Coastal NJ, DE, MD, VA, NC
- Tide Peaks: Between 7 PM and 10 PM local time
📢 Stay Safe & Prepared
Residents are advised to:
- Avoid flood-prone roads, especially at night
- Move valuables and electronics off floors
- Monitor official weather channels and local emergency alerts
- Have evacuation kits ready just in case
As skies remain deceptively clear in many places, officials are urging people not to drop their guard.
“It’s not always the rain — sometimes the sea itself is the threat.”
