Storm Surge/Tide — Lower Baldwin, Alabama

2008-09-11 to 2008-09-12 · Lower Baldwin, Alabama

Event narrative

As hurricane Ike moved well south of coastal Alabama, storm surge caused major beach erosion across the area. The astronomical tide was very high and the surge adding to this caused the total tide height to be at or a little higher than what occurred in Gustav. The beaches also had very little time to recover from the battering waves of Gustav before Ike affected the area. The beaches took a pounding from the waves and surge and the water washed across several places. The road leading to Fort Morgan had to be closed due to high water. Water washed underneath many homes near Fort Morgan. Sand covered the road going to Fort Morgan for several days after Ike. The highest storm surge from Ike was 6.25 feet near Fort Morgan with a storm tide height of 7.75 feet. Total damage estimate caused from the surge in coastal Alabama was around $1M.

Wider weather episode

As Ike moved south of the area, high astronomical tide along with storm surge brought flooding to the immediate coastal area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 134849. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.