Coastal Flood Advisory Strikes Charleston Coast Amid High Tides

Lead The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory for Charleston and northern South Carolina shorelines from Tuesday morning through noon, as astronomical high tides and northeast winds push waters 1 foot above ground level.

Nut Graf This advisory underscores the recurring tidal flooding risk driven by combined solar and lunar gravitational forces at seasonal high tides. Motorists and residents are urged to heed road closure warnings and avoid saltwater inundation.

What Happened

• Up to one foot of tidal inundation is expected along the Charleston Harbor and adjacent tidal waterways between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. Tuesday.
• The advisory follows an earlier midnight advisory and targets low-lying streets vulnerable to saltwater flooding.

Why It Matters

Coastal flooding can damage vehicles, erode infrastructure and disrupt daily commutes. Saltwater intrusion also poses a risk to private property and municipal services, especially during peak tourist and commuter hours.

Forecast and Impacts

Forecasted peak tide heights at Charleston Harbor gauge:

• 7.6 ft MLLW (Advisory threshold)
• 7.8 ft MLLW (Minor flooding)
• 8.0 ft MLLW (Moderate flooding)

Anticipated Effects

• Short-term road closures on Bay Street, East Bay Street and parts of Folly Road
• Saltwater pooling in beachfront communities and tidal creeks
• Elevated rip current threat along area beaches
• Disruption to local ferry and boating operations

Safety Recommendations

• Refrain from crossing flooded roads; turn around, don’t drown.
• Park vehicles on higher ground to avoid saltwater damage.
• Monitor local traffic advisories and NWS updates via weather.gov.
• Avoid beachfront promenades and low-lying waterfront parks during high tides.

The advisory is expected to expire by 12 p.m., with tides receding thereafter and dry conditions prevailing through midweek.