Tuesday, October 27, 2015

PHOTOS: Coastal Flooding Strikes South Carolina, Georgia

By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
October 27,2015; 9:27PM,EDT
 
 
Strong coastal flooding caused street closures and property damage across parts of South Carolina and Georgia on Tuesday.
A combination of strong winds off the ocean combined with the effects of the high astronomical tides, helped cause the flooding.
Tides peaked at 8.69 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) in Charleston Harbor, the fourth highest tide recorded since records began in 1921, the National Weather Service in Charleston said. Major coastal flooding at this location typically occurs when gauge levels reach 8 feet.
The MLLW is the average of the lower low water height of each tidal day observed over the National Tidal Datum Epoch, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Emergency officials in Charleston asked travelers to avoid travel onto the peninsula due to the flooding until the tide began to recede. Wind gusts up to 25 mph were reported in the city along with a light rainfall throughout the day. Additionally, the city had extra water due to continued runoff from flooding earlier this month.
Law enforcement in the town of Edisto Beach, South Carolina, reported that 20 homes suffered flood damage as well as two businesses. A disaster recovery center was opened in Colleton County to assist residents who were impacted.
In Georgia, tides peaked at 10.43 feet MLLW, at the Ft. Pulaski river tide gauge near Fort Screven, good for the third highest reading at the gauge since records began in 1935. Major tidal flooding typical begins when the gauge reads 10 feet MLLW.
Many areas of South Carolina are still recovering from the catastrophic and historic flooding event that inundated the state earlier this month. According to the South Carolina Emergency management division, 36 bridges and 89 roads remain closed.
RELATED:
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Coastal flooding closed part of Long Point road in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. (Photo/Mt. Pleasant Police Department)
Coastal flooding struck North Myrtle Beach on Tuesday. (Photo/Ed Piotrowski)
Except for a few minor spots, the dike system is keeping the flood waters at bay. Not bad after 185 years!

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