Coastal Flood Advisory Issued: See If Your Area Is at Risk as Storm-Driven Tides Rise

Residents from the mid-Atlantic through New England are bracing for a multi-day nor’easter that has prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a widespread coastal flood advisory stretching from Virginia to Maine. Forecasters warn that Sunday’s astronomically high tides, combined with an on-shore gale and a full-moon–enhanced storm surge, could push water levels to heights “not seen in nearly a decade” along parts of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. Coastal Flood Advisory Details • Advisory window: 7 a.m. Sun – 8 a.m. Mon (location-dependent) with possible upgrades to a Coastal Flood Warning if tide gauges exceed projections. • Expected surge: 1 – 3 ft above ground at times of high tide, locally higher in back bays and tidal rivers. • Peak threat: Sunday evening’s high tide cycle (approx. 7 p.m.–10 p.m. EDT), repeating around dawn Monday. Impacts You Can Expect • Roadway flooding on low-lying routes such as U.S. Route 9 in Cape May Co., Ferry Road in Lewes, DE, and portions of the Garden State Parkway’s southern exits. • Significant beach erosion and dune overtopping, especially along New Jersey barrier islands, the Delaware beaches, Assateague Island and the Outer Banks. • Possible salt-water intrusion into storm-drain systems in Atlantic City, Norfolk and Boston’s Seaport District. • Isolated structural damage to piers, marinas and ocean-front properties exposed to battering waves of 10–15 ft. Travel & Safety Tips 1. Never drive through salt-water covered roads; six inches of moving water can stall a car and corrode its electrical system. 2. Secure loose outdoor items—trash cans, patio furniture, small boats—to prevent them from becoming floating debris. 3. Elevate electronics and valuables at least one foot above floor level in basements or ground-floor rooms prone to inundation. 4. Monitor NOAA Weather Radio or your local NWS office on X/Facebook for real-time tidal updates. Timing of the Storm’s Exit The nor’easter’s slow movement means minor to moderate coastal flooding could linger into the Monday evening tide. Drier air filters in Tuesday, but long-period swells will keep rip-current risk high through mid-week. Climate Context According to NOAA’s tide records, relative sea-level rise of roughly 4–8 inches since the 1980s along the mid-Atlantic amplifies storm surge effects, meaning today’s “advisory” floods would have ranked merely “nuisance” a generation ago. What Comes Next Emergency managers urge coastal residents to finish pre-storm preparations by early afternoon. If the latest model runs verify, parts of New Jersey’s back-bay communities could see tides rivaling those from the October 2021 nor’easter. Stay tuned for potential escalation to a Coastal Flood Warning and be prepared to move vehicles to higher ground on short notice.