Storm Surge/Tide — Coastal Chatham, Georgia

2022-11-10 · Coastal Chatham, Georgia

Event narrative

The National Ocean Service (NOS) tide gauge at Fort Pulaski, measured a peak observed tide level of 10.41 feet above Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) at 10:06 am EST. In reference to Mean Higher High Water (MHHW), the level was 2.91 feet MHHW. However, the peak recorded surge value was 4.24 feet at 2:06 pm EST. At the time, this tide level ranks as the 6th highest on record for the site. Widespread tidal flooding was observed along the Chatham County coast including Tybee Island and Wilmington Island. Part of Highway 80 was closed for a period of time between Tybee Island and Savannah. Broadcast media also reported tidal flooding along the river walk in Savannah.

Wider weather episode

Nicole first developed as a Subtropical Storm about 550 miles east of the northwest Bahamas in the morning of Monday, November 7th. Nicole remained a Subtropical Storm for a little over 24 hours, but eventually transitioned to a Tropical Storm late in the morning of Tuesday, November 8th. Nicole steadily strengthened and became a Hurricane in the early evening of Wednesday, November 9th, when it was centered about 100 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida. Hurricane Nicole made landfall at 3 am on Thursday, November 10th, on North Hutchinson Island which is just south of Vero Beach, Florida. Nicole then moved to the northwest across the Florida peninsula. Nicole eventually weakened to a Tropical Depression as it shifted into southwest Georgia and degenerated as it moved to the north. Despite being a Hurricane at landfall, Nicole did not produce widespread significant impacts across southeast Georgia. Rainfall amounts ranged from 1 to 2 inches. Strong winds were limited to the immediate coastline, with frequent Tropical Storm force gusts observed at coastal observation sites at the beaches. The biggest impact from Nicole was coastal flooding and storm surge due to persistent and strong northeast winds along the coast, and the lingering effect of the full moon on Tuesday, November 8th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1067532. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.