Strong winds from a major winter storm, combined with a high tide intensified by a supermoon, caused historic coastal flooding in parts of north eastern USA on Thursday, 04 January 2018.
The National Weather Service in Boston said that the tide gauge at Boston Harbor reached a height of 15.16 feet Thursday, beating the previous record of 15.1 set in 1978.
Towns and cities on the New England coast were inundated with icy water from the high tide. In Massachusetts, National Guard, police and fire departments were called on to help evacuate residents from flooded homes and rescue stranded drivers.
Damage and Affected Areas
Massachusetts saw the worst of the flooding. According to NWS Boston, in Suffolk County, 75 homes were flooded in Winthrop and 2 people were rescued from their vehicles trapped in flooding in Chelsea. Roads and homes were also flooded in parts of Essex county. Residents were evacuated from homes in Plum Island and Gloucester and several cars were trapped in flood waters in Nahant.
In Nantucket, flood water of up to 3 feet deep was reported in some areas. Cars were reportedly floating on flood water in Chatham and Dennis in Barnstable county.
In Plymouth county, roads were flooded, as were homes in Hull and the seawall Scituate was damaged. Occupants of two vehicles had to be rescued from flood waters in Hingham, where some evacuations from homes were also carried out.
Some coastal areas of Maine were also affected.
Tide Levels
National Ocean Service said:
“As of 01/04/2018 21:00 EST, water levels from Maryland to Maine are elevated by 0.5 to 3.5 feet above normal tide levels. Peak water levels reached close to 5 feet at some stations along the New England coast earlier this evening due to larger-than-average high tides coupled with storm surge caused by the nor’easter.
“With the exception of stations in Maine, most measurements are beginning to return to normal, though they remain elevated. Water levels in the northern Chesapeake Bay are still reduced and measure between -1.5 and -2.5 feet below normal tide levels due to strong northwest winds”
Social Media
We appear to be near the record high water level in #Boston. However, it is within a few tenths of an inch and this will need to be confirmed with the NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) @noaaocean before we can confirm or deny whether the record was tied or broken pic.twitter.com/CHiTM6kJ9Z
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 4, 2018
Your DXFD firefighters responded to 36 emergencies in the last 24 hours. We had over 142,00 people see our tweets just in the last day. We appreciate all the kind words and support as a fresh shift of firefighters are coming on duty. #DXFD pic.twitter.com/RpFxB25P1x
— Duxbury Fire PIO (@DXFD_PIO) January 5, 2018
Another image from high tide today in the area of King Caesar Rd. pic.twitter.com/2npUFXFOZN
— Duxbury Harbormaster (@Dux_HM) January 5, 2018
DXFD had numerous firefighters in survival suits removing people from houses affected by the flooding. Firefighters continue to respond to emergencies. Prepare for temperatures to drop! #DXFD #Grayson #MAsnow #flooding pic.twitter.com/w3kAEMAhlO
— Duxbury Fire PIO (@DXFD_PIO) January 4, 2018
Flood Summary
Locations
B - Scituate
C - Rockport
D - Duxbury
E - Kennebunkport
F - Barnstable
G - Portland
Magnitude
Boston - January 4 to January 4, 2018
Massachusetts Bay at Scituate - January 4 to January 4, 2018
Atlantic Coast at Dennis Sesuit Harbor, Massachusetts - January 4 to January 4, 2018
Massachusetts Bay at Scituate - January 4 to January 4, 2018
Damages
Massachusetts - January 4 to January 5, 2018
estimated figure, based on initial reports from NWS Boston
Massachusetts - January 4 to January 5, 2018
estimated figure, based on initial reports from NWS Boston
