‘King Tide’ Could Cause Coastal Flooding in Coming Days

Flooding in Toms River’s Ocean Beach section during the Sept. 10, 2018 storm. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

One of the so-called “King Tide” events, where exorbitantly high tides inundate coastal areas due to a combination of the coming summer solstice and moon phase, is set to affect the Shore area next week. A king tide also causes a high outflow of water which, in turn, can lead to extremely low tides.

The National Weather Service has warned that roads prone to flooded could be under water at times of high tide, and boats secured to docks should be provided with enough slack in their lines to accommodate the higher water level at high tide and the lower water level at low tide.

The king tide set to occur May 24 through May 29, 2021, is forecast to be the largest of its kind this year, according to the National Ocean Service, a federal agency within the NOAA. Higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides will occur.

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“Some of the Mid Atlantic will experience their highest tides of 2021 in May,” the NOAA said in an announcement. “Minor tidal flooding along the coast will occur, particularly in low-lying areas. If a storm occurs at this time, increased levels of tidal flooding and coastal erosion may occur.”

The NOAA’s Coastal Inundation Dashboard provides additional information on tidal flood risks.