Charleston Braces for King Tides as Full Sturgeon Moon Rises
The City of Charleston, South Carolina, braces itself for the Monday night King Tides, which could cause significant flooding and road closures. The King Tides, the highest tides experienced, occur due to the Earth’s lunar proximity. When the Moon’s orbit closely approaches our planet, it pulls in more water, generating tides that can reach heights of 7 feet or above.
Brief Explanation of King Tides Phenomenon
Blair Holloway, a meteorologist, offered a clipped explanation of the phenomenon, stating, “Any time we get to a period of time where there is a full moon cycle or where the moon is closer to the Earth, that tends to give us higher than normal tides.”
Anticipated Impact of King Tides on Roads
As the King Tides rolls in, it often impacts coastal regions, such as downtown Charleston, where several streets are susceptible to flooding, thereby becoming impassable. “We can experience flooding in and around the city. It might just be water on some roadways resulting in nuisance or annoyance types of flooding but as water levels rise into the moderate flooding range, we can see enough water to close roadways and cause travel disruptions,” expressed Holloway.
Preparation and Safety Measures for the Anticipated Flooding
City officials have provided a few preventive measures that residents can adopt to prepare for flooding and ensure safety on the road. “The best thing is to have alternate routes of travel because it’s usually the same areas that get impacted. So avoid areas close to waterways, marshes, and creeks,” Holloway advised.
Continuation of King Tides Expected
As reported by the National Weather Service, the King Tides are also anticipated to continue Tuesday morning. Residents are, therefore, advised to verify their work routes beforehand to avoid any inconvenience or potential risk associated with flooding roads.
Conclusion
All citizens are urged to remain vigilant and stay updated about the weather situation through reliable sources. With the expected King Tides resulting from the Full Sturgeon Moon, the City of Charleston reinforces its commitment to ensuring the citizens’ safety, prioritizing adequate preparation measures, and maintaining effective response strategies for the anticipated flooding.
