Coastal Flood — Southeast Suffolk, New York

2023-12-18 · Southeast Suffolk, New York

Event narrative

Moderate coastal flooding and major beach erosion occurred along the south shore of SE Suffolk:

At the East Moriches USGS tidal gauge, moderate coastal flooding of 5.3 ft MLLW or more occurred from 1130 AM EST to 230 PM EST, with a peak water level of 5.7 ft MLLW from 142 PM EST to 148 PM EST.

At the Montauk NOS tidal gauge, moderate coastal flooding of 4.9 ft MLLW or more occurred from 1100 AM EST to 200 PM EST, with a peak water level of 5.0 ft MLLW 1106 AM EST.

At the Ponquoque USGS tidal gauge, moderate coastal flooding of 5.9 ft MLLW or more occurred from 954 AM EST to 212 PM EST, with a peak water level of 6.5 ft MLLW 1254 PM EST to 100 PM EST.

Wider weather episode

An intensifying storm moved up the Eastern Seaboard from northern Florida on December 17th, to the coastal Mid Atlantic region on the 18th. This storm produced a strong onshore flow on the 18th that combined with high astronomical tides to cause widespread moderate to locally major coastal flooding and beach erosion along the south shore of Long Island during the late morning and afternoon.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1154209. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.