CHARLESTON, S.C. — Drivers in Charleston should plan around high water Sunday morning, with a coastal flood watch in place for Charleston County and coastal Colleton County from 4 a.m. until 11 a.m.
The National Weather Service office in Charleston updated the watch late Saturday at 9:23 p.m. Forecasters expect the tide to crest near 7:34 a.m., with saltwater flooding possible for a stretch of one to two hours on either side of that peak.
Water could rise one to two feet above the ground along shorelines and tidal creeks, with the Charleston gauge reading 7.9 to 8.1 feet above mean lower low water. At those levels many low-lying streets can become impassable and some properties may take on water. Beachgoers face rough surf, rip currents and some erosion.
The high water comes from seasonal king tides that are peaking this weekend, with coastal flood alerts posted along roughly 500 miles of coastline from Miami to Charleston.
Forecasters urge drivers to leave extra time, stay clear of barricades and never drive through standing water of unknown depth.
Filed under: Charleston SC Weather News
