*Next TIDEeye Update:
TIDEeye is a web & mobile-friendly tool for keeping an eye on our latest local weather and tides, as well as their impact on our traffic and road closures.
Conditions should be clear most of the time, but when they're not, TIDEeye will use colors to indicate data values that may require close attention. These colors follow the National Weather Service palette for the purpose of continuity.
Flood Risk | Low | Minor | Moderate | Major |
---|---|---|---|---|
Color | check_circle | error | error | error |
TIDEeye is a tool for keeping an eye on our latest local weather and tides, as well as their impact on our traffic and road closures.
Flood risk conditions should be clear (blue) most of the time, but look out for other TIDE eye forecasts. These colors follow the National Weather Service palette for the purpose of continuity.
Low | Minor | Moderate | Major |
check_circle | error | error | error |
Flood risk conditions should be clear (blue) most of the time, but look out for other TIDE eye forecasts. These colors follow the National Weather Service palette for the purpose of continuity.
Low | Minor | Moderate | Major |
check_circle | error | error | error |
In an effort to better understand the tides and weather that trigger our flooded road conditions, we are actively working to collect more data. If you can contribute safely, please submit a very brief flooding report--all it requires is taking a picture and confirming the location. (Thank you!)
Report Current Flooding open_in_newPlease note: If you need to report flooding as part of a service request, please do so separately by calling the Citizen Services Desk or online via this form.
The term "King Tide" is a non-scientific term used to describe Perigean Spring Tides which are the highest seasonal tides that occur each year.
The average high tide in Charleston is about 5.5 ft. During a King or Spring Tide event, high tides may reach 7 ft. or higher.
These tides occur when the moon is either new or full and is closest to the earth in its monthly orbit. These especially high tides can cause or worsen coastal flooding. These types of tides are predictable and can be planned for.
NOAA's official Tide Prediction Tables are published annually on October 1, for the following calendar year. Actual water levels will likely vary locally and may be higher than predicted, based on additional weather conditions.
For additional tide tables, visit the NOAA's Tides & Currents website.
The height of the tide has one of the greatest impacts on how quickly stormwater will drain from the City because most of the outfalls of the City drain to water bodies that are tidally influenced.
At high tide, much of the stormwater collection system (the pipes and ditches) is already full of sea water leaving little room for the stormwater runoff, this is when ponding occurs.
The heights of our tides are variable, but are increasing over time. View Local Tide Trends compiled from data collected at the Cooper River Tide Station (#8665530) which is monitored by NOAA.
We are monitoring the Peninsula and Church Creek
At high tide, much of the stormwater collection system (the pipes and ditches) is already full of sea water leaving little room for the stormwater runoff. The stormwater that has collected on the surface has no place to go because the pipes and ditches are full and ponding occurs.
In Charleston, tides are measured from the MLLW baseline. MLLW is averaged over a 19-year recording period (the National Tidal Datum Epoch). Tides and land elevations are measured from different baselines.
How high is that seawall?At 7.0 ft MLLW, minor coastal flooding typically begins. As the tide height approaches 7.5 ft MLLW, roads can become impassable and closed.
For more technical information on Datums, visit NOAA's Tides & Currents page about our local Cooper River Station tide gauge.
This forecast represents minimal flood-risk, if any, because the forecasted tide is less than 7.0' MLLW.
This forecast represents major flood-risk because it includes a tide that is greater than or equal to 8.0' MLLW.
An 8' MLLW tide at the SW edge of the Peninsula can trigger dangerous flooding conditions, as the Ashley River spills saltwater onto Lockwood Blvd.
This forecast represents moderate flood-risk because it includes a tide that is greater than or equal to 7.5' but less than 8.0' MLLW.
A 7.4' MLLW tide at the SW edge of the Peninsula can trigger flooded road conditions, as the Ashley River spills saltwater onto Lockwood Blvd.
This forecast represents minor flood-risk because it includes a tide that is greater than 7' but less than 7.5' MLLW.
What is MLLW? How are tides measured? Why are the Forecasted and Predicted Tides different?
The National Weather Service provides Weather Alerts, Current Tides, and Tide Forecasts.
The National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration provides future Astronomical Tide Predictions.
This organization provides current rain and wind information at the reported stations.
Dark Sky provides the forecasted rain rates as well as the daily Moon Phase.