Coastal Flood — Coastal Rockingham, New Hampshire

2020-04-03 · Coastal Rockingham, New Hampshire

Event narrative

The astronomical tide in Hampton was 8.44 feet with the storm tide topping out at 11.38 feet. The resulting 2.94 foot storm surge kept the Hampton tide gauge above flood stage for over an hour. In Hampton, significant splash-over occurred along the North Beach Seawall with structural damage. Minor flooding (less than a foot deep) occurred along Auburn Street and Riverview Terrace.

Wider weather episode

An offshore low pressure intensified to 980mb and retrograded in a loop east of Cape Cod on April 3rd. This allowed for gale force northerly winds along the coast at high tide, leading to the development of powerful nearshore waves of around 18 feet every 11 seconds off the Rockingham County coastline. Fortunately the storm occurred during a relatively low portion of the monthly astronomical tide cycle which limited total water level heights.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 889246. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.