Coastal Flood — Coastal Georgetown, South Carolina

2017-09-11 to 2017-09-12 · Coastal Georgetown, South Carolina

Event narrative

A strong pressure gradient between high pressure to the north and Tropical Storm Irma to the south created strong onshore flow. Moderate coastal flooding was reported at Pawleys Island and portions of Georgetown, with multiple road closures. At one point, the Frying Pan Shoals buoy reported a 3.5 meter wave height. A NOS gauge at North Inlet Winyah Bay measured water levels 3.35 feet mean higher higher water (MHHW) and a USGS gauge on the Pee Dee River at Georgetown measured a water level 3.4 feet MHHW.

Wider weather episode

As tropical storm Irma traveled through central Florida, it interacted with strong high pressure to the north, creating a very strong onshore gradient and ocean fetch in Georgetown County, with lesser conditions in Horry County and points north.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 723354. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.