Coastal Flood — Maryland Beaches, Maryland

2012-10-28 to 2012-10-30 · Maryland Beaches, Maryland

Event narrative

Water levels reached 3.0 feet to 4.5 feet above normal adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean resulting in moderate to severe coastal flooding. Ocean City Inlet reached a tide height of 6.06 feet MLLW. Numerous streets were closed due to flooding in the southern half of Ocean City. Portions of the fishing pier and boardwalk were damaged/destroyed by the combination of storm surge and extreme wave action. Severe beach erosion occurred from Ocean City southward to Assateague Island, with several areas of beach on Assateague Island breached.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Cyclone Sandy moving northward well off the Mid Atlantic Coast then northwest into extreme southern New Jersey produced very strong northeast winds followed by very strong west or northwest winds. The very strong winds caused moderate to severe coastal flooding across portions of the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 418292. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.