Spring Tides in Fall; Tropics update

Since the full moon closest to the fall equinox was yesterday, tides are running high. These are called Spring Tides (which have nothing to do with the season), and the high tide Tuesday morning is forecast to be close to flood stage for the Savannah/Tybee area …

As a reminder, here is the flood guidance for the area based on the Ft. Pulaski tide gauge. Also remember that tide gauges are referenced to the low tide line (MLLW), not mean sea level like most topographic maps.

At 9.5 ft MLLW, minor coastal flooding occurs. Flooding will begin to impact Shipyard Road to Burnside Island. Parts of Ft Pulaski National Monument will begin to flood, including several trails. Flooding will also begin to impact Tybee Island including Catalina Dr and Lewis Ave. In Bryan County, water could breach docks near Ft McAllister and flooding will impact portions of Mill Hill Rd. In Liberty County, flooding impacts the Halfmoon Landing area and Cattle Hammock Rd near Bermuda Bluff subdivision.  
At 10.0 ft MLLW, moderate coastal flooding occurs. Shipyard Rd will be impassable, isolating residents on Burnside Island. Water will start to encroach on HW-80 and as the tide gets closer to 10.5 ft MLLW, could begin to cover portions of the roadway. Flooding will expand on Tybee Island and Catalina Dr and Lewis Ave will be impassable. Flooding will also impact Wilmington Island, the Coffee Bluff community, Ossabaw Island, Sapelo Island, and portions of HW-17 south of Darien.

The only tropical system of interest at the moment is Typhoon Tapah, which is making landfall south of Hong Kong this morning (evening in China). Tapah is putting nearly 36 million people in the tropical storm wind swath, and since tropical storm force winds are impacting the densely populated area of Maco and the fringes of Hong Kong, disruptions were extensive. Economic impacts could top $500 million, again mostly disruptions and minor damage but with that many people and that much stuff in such as small area it add up quickly.

Elsewhere, Kiko is still tracking north of Hawai’i, only waves impacting the Islands …

And the Atlantic is empty:

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