PressAdda
The term “Coastal Flood Advisory” surged to the top of X (formerly Twitter) and Google Trends on October 30, 2025, as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued urgent warnings across the East Coast from North Carolina’s Outer Banks to New York City.
A stalled coastal low-pressure system off the Southeast, combined with strong onshore winds gusting 20–40 mph, is driving high astronomical tides enhanced by the recent full moon, pushing 1 to 3 feet of saltwater inundation into low-lying roads, neighborhoods, and bayside communities. This marks the second significant coastal flooding event in under a week, with impacts expected to peak during Thursday afternoon and Friday morning high tides.
The NWS triggered the viral spike with a midday national alert on X, stating that moderate to locally major coastal flooding was underway or imminent across six states. The post quickly amassed over 15,000 views, amplified by local NWS offices, emergency alerts from @NotifyNYC, and real-time reports from residents and weather bots. In North Carolina, Highway 12 on the Outer Banks is already experiencing overwash and partial closures, with 2–3 feet of water covering sections near Rodanthe and Avon. Virginia’s Hampton Roads region reports 1–2 feet of flooding in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, forcing road barricades and school delays.
Further north, Maryland and Washington, D.C. face up to 3 feet of inundation, with Annapolis and Old Town Alexandria seeing water creep into historic districts and waterfront parks. Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is under threat during Friday’s morning high tide, while Delaware Bay communities like Bowers Beach prepare for similar impacts. In New Jersey, Cape May and Atlantic City back bays are flooding with 1 foot or more, and Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River banks are swelling. New York City issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for Queens, particularly Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways, where 1–2 feet of water is expected by 6 p.m. Thursday.
Meteorologists attribute the intensity to a persistent southerly wind flow that has been piling water against the coast for days, compounded by warmer-than-average Atlantic waters and seasonal high tides. Unlike hurricane-driven surges, this is a “sunny day flooding” event on steroids, made worse by climate-driven sea level rise. The NWS warns that repeated inundation is eroding dunes, damaging infrastructure, and increasing long-term vulnerability—especially in barrier island communities.
Safety remains the top priority. Authorities urge residents to avoid driving through flooded roads—just 6 inches of moving water can stall a vehicle, and 12 inches can sweep away an SUV. Turn around, don’t drown is the official mantra. Coastal residents should elevate valuables, clear storm drains, and monitor local tide times via NOAA’s Tides & Currents dashboard. Tourist areas like Solomons Island, Maryland, are seeing 2 feet of water across boardwalks, and beach access is closed in multiple locations.
The NWS forecasts a second surge overnight Thursday into Friday, with Wind Advisories adding 8–11 foot waves along the open coast. While no Coastal Flood Warnings have been upgraded yet, minor to moderate flooding will persist through Friday afternoon. Live radar, tide predictions, and emergency alerts are available on weather.gov and local NWS pages.
As #CoastalFloodAdvisory dominates social media with photos of submerged streets and stranded cars, the East Coast is on high alert. Stay informed, stay safe—and check local conditions before traveling. This event underscores a growing reality: coastal flooding is no longer rare, even on clear, windy days.
