A King Tide is a non-scientific term used to describe high tides that are higher than normal. They usually occur during a full or new moon or during specific seasons throughout the year. They can cause flooding of low-lying areas resulting in road closures that may disrupt normal daily routines. This is particularly true when a king tide coincides with significant precipitation.
The next king tide will occur on October 14-20. Then:
November 13 – 18
December 13 – 16
Remember to clear debris blocking the drains near your home before predicted king tides and if your home is prone to flooding, you might want to prepare your ground level for flooding.
Kiawah Island’s new water level monitoring station, located at the Kiawah River Bridge, provides real-time water level information and is available here. To see the Tidelines post about the station, click here.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is leading the South Carolina King Tides Initiative to document the effect that extreme tide events have on our state’s beaches, coastal waterways, private property, and public infrastructure. For more information on king tides and the Initiative, click here.
–Tidelines Editors