Flood advisories have been issued across the East Coast due to the supermoon that will be the largest and brightest this year when it rises tonight.
Residents in New York City and New Jersey were told to brace for up two feet of inundation above ground level Friday morning and Florida‘s is in place starting today until Saturday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) told DailyMail.com that the advisory is due to potential high tide caused by the biggest and brightest moon of the year, ‘which will be powerful enough to draw water’ into the coastal cities.
The supermoon will 15 percent bigger and closer to Earth than a full moon, increasing its gravitational pull on the oceans and creating higher than normal tides.
NWS has warned roads in flood zones are likely to be closed and properties in low lying areas could be impacted by rising waters.
While New York City and New Jersey could see up to two feet of flooding, while Florida is set to experience king tides that is predicted to produce twice the about.
‘On top of high tides, we have a supermoon that it is powerful enough to draw in more water,’ NWS chief administrative officer Beth Lamb told DailyMail.com.
‘This does not happen every month. In a warming world, the ocean is expanding and you will see more coastal flood due to high tide.’
NWS issued the advisory for Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens, Nassau and Richmond counties also in New York, along with Hudson County in New Jersey.
‘Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level expected in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline,’ the weather service shared in a statement.
‘Additional rounds of coastal flooding are possible with the high tide cycles through Saturday.’
Officials have warned residents not to travel, but if required, allow leave earlier due to possible road closures.
Lamb said that flooding will be prominent in Long Island ‘because of the persistent north east winds that are moving in the right direction.
She continued to explain that areas along New Jersey that typically see flooding ‘will take in water.’
The northeastern regions are under the advisory starting Friday, from 6am ET to 10 am.
Coastal flood advisories have also been near Jacksonville, Florida, along with Putnam and Flagler counties that could see up to four feet of flooding starting at 4pm Thursday until 5am Saturday.
Meteorologists call this king tides, which are higher due to the moon at perigee, the point in its orbit where it is closest to Earth.
And the supermoon, set to peak tonight, could exert a greater gravitational pull on the Earth and raise the ocean’s water levels higher than usual.
High tide is expected to peak around 8:20am and 8:35pm today, then about 12 hours later on Friday and again at 10:00am Saturday.
‘Flooding of low-lying parking lots, coastal roads, and parks may occur around periods of high tide,’ the NWS stated on X.
‘DO NOT park your vehicle in low-lying areas, as saltwater is corrosive and may damage vehicles.’
Officials have urged residents under flood advisories to ‘allow extra time’ while traveling as some roads may be closed.
‘Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth,’ the NWS stated in its advisory, adding that residents should also ‘Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.’
These advisories come on the heels of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Florida’s west coast on October 9, as a Category 3 storm.
The storm battered cities with winds of over 100 mph, produced a barrage of tornadoes and dropped up to 18 inches of rain on some areas. At least 14 people were killed.
Milton also triggered catastrophic flooding across the state, and some areas are still waiting for floodwaters to recede one week after the hurricane.
These king tides could make it even more difficult for Milton’s floodwaters to recede as they struggle to drain into swollen rivers like the St. Johns, which flows over 300 miles from its headwaters in Indian River County to the Atlantic Ocean.
The king tide will also bring high rip current risk, and officials urge people to swim near a lifeguard.
‘If caught in a rip current, relax and float,’ the NWS advised. ‘Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.’
The last king tide to hit Florida occurred in September, and flooded Palm Beach’s popular Intracoastal-front Lake Trail with up to 10 inches of water in some places.
King tides are a natural phenomenon that occur every year in Florida, typically in the fall and spring.
The highest tides in southeast Florida typically occur in the fall because the water is warmer and the seasonal winds drive water levels higher at this time of year.
But the moon is the main driving force behind these exceptionally high tides.
This week’s Harvest supermoon will have an increased gravitational pull on our planet, which is what will cause the ocean’s water levels to rise higher than usual.
Additionally, Earth, the sun and the Super Harvest Moon will align in space tonight, creating a lunar eclipse. The combined gravitation force of these celestial bodies will make the effect on Earth’s oceans even stronger, creating a king tide.
What’s more, senior NWS Miami meteorologist Robert Garcia told Newsweek that wind could make this week’s king tides even more severe.
‘So the moon affects the tides, but then on top of that, a northeasterly wind is going to be funneling water towards the coast,’ Garcia said.
‘It’s kind of like being in a bathtub and continuously shoving water with your hand in one direction. The water piles up,’ he added.
This king tide should return to normal levels by early next week, but another king tide is forecasted for November 15 through 19.
