Coastal Flood — Coastal Rockingham, New Hampshire

2022-01-17 · Coastal Rockingham, New Hampshire

Event narrative

In Hampton, the astronomical tide was 8.8 feet with a storm surge of 3.6 feet at high tide to reach a 12.4 foot storm tide. Flood stage in Hampton is 11.0 feet (MLLW). The Seavey Island tide gauge topped out at 11.6 feet (MLLW). Widespread flooding occurred along the back bay area of Hampton with water inundation levels up to 18 inches deep. Water entered the first floor of some residential buildings. In addition, significant splash-over brought water onto Route 1A in Hampton Beach area due to large pounding surf. In Rye, the water flooded Ocean Boulevard up to two feet deep. Minor flooding was also reported in the Portsmouth area.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure rapidly intensified into a strong storm (980 mb) and tracked over western New England on the morning of January 17th. This allowed for a strong easterly flow to develop as the system passed to our west. Winds peaked around the time of high tide with gusts over hurricane force reported across the Gulf of Maine. Astronomical tides were marginal during the event, however very high storm surge values tied for the eleventh highest of all-time during the midday high tide cycle on the 17th. The surge and large waves caused minor flooding across the entire Seacoast of New Hampshire with moderate flooding impacts reported in the Hampton Beach area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1004008. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.