Coastal Flood — Coastal Collier County, Florida

2016-01-17 · Coastal Collier County, Florida

Event narrative

Naples Fire Rescue and Police Departments reported approximately 1 foot of standing water and floating debris at the southern end of Gordon Drive. Up to 1.5 feet of standing water was also reported along 17th Ave South, east of 4th Street South, making the roads impassable. Water receded after 10 am EST. A few docks sustained minor damage in Marco Island during the same time frame. Starting time of event based on recorded surge at Naples Pier.

This event was likely associated with a meteotsunami, which is a rapid rise in ocean levels similar to that of a tsunami, but caused by meteorological forces. In this case, the squall line moving in from the Gulf of Mexico caused a localized surface pressure disturbance which traveled east with the line until reaching the coast.

Wider weather episode

A line of severe storms developed over the eastern Gulf of Mexico during the early morning hours as an area of low pressure moved across the Florida peninsula. The line moved onshore the Collier county coast early in the morning, producing a large swath of wind damage. Numerous additional reports of wind gusts 45 to 55 mph and minor tree damage were recorded along the east coast metro as the line moved eastwards and into the Atlantic. A storm surge was also recorded as the line made landfall along the Collier county coast.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 617130. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.