Coastal Flood — Coastal Lee, Florida

2018-12-21 · Coastal Lee, Florida

Event narrative

A meteotsunami flooded the north end of Sanibel Island with up to 4 feet of water. A video of the event was available on YouTube. Water did enter a few cottages and cars in the parking lot had water mid way up the doors. Damage amount is unknown. Time estimated from the public.

Wider weather episode

A strong cold front moved southeast through the eastern Gulf of Mexico and Florida Peninsula on the 20th, preceded by a squall line. The storms produced 4 tornadoes, and damaging wind gusts, in addition to strong gradient winds behind the front on the 21st. The strong onshore winds also produced coastal flooding along the coast and moderate to major beach erosion from Pinellas County to Lee County. .

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 791309. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.