Severe storms and high tides can turn a peaceful shoreline into a flood zone in no time. Strong winds, storm surges, and rising water often damage property, block roads, and put people at risk.
Honestly, the best way to get ready for high tides during severe storms is to secure your home, have an evacuation plan, and stay informed through trusted weather alerts.
Understanding how tides and storms interact lets you take steps to lower your risk before the first wave even hits. You can reinforce structures, figure out evacuation routes, and protect important belongings.
Even small things like clearing gutters or sealing up entry points can matter when water starts to rise.
Preparation isn’t just about saving stuff, it’s about keeping people safe during and after the storm. If you’ve got the right info and a plan, you’ll face these storms with more confidence and (hopefully) less damage.
Understanding High Tides and Severe Storms
High tides get much more dangerous when strong winds and low pressure push extra water toward the shore. Water levels can jump above normal, flooding roads, homes, and important infrastructure in low-lying areas.
What Causes High Tides During Storms
The gravitational pull of the moon and sun on Earth’s oceans causes high tides. These cycles are pretty predictable, but storms can really mess with them.
When a storm gets close, strong onshore winds shove seawater toward the coast. At the same time, low air pressure lets the sea surface rise.
If this all happens during a naturally high tide, the water can get way higher than usual.
This is especially true during spring tides or king tides, when the sun, moon, and Earth line up. These tides are already higher than normal, so when a storm piles on, flooding can happen even without much rain.
Bays and estuaries can make things worse by amplifying water levels.
The Dangers of Storm-Driven High Tides
Storm-driven high tides flood streets, damage property, and disrupt transportation. Even moderate flooding can block emergency vehicles and cut off neighborhoods.
Saltwater from these events can ruin drinking water supplies and corrode infrastructure. Electrical systems, pumps, and stormwater drains can take a real beating from saltwater.
Floodwaters might carry debris, sewage, or hazardous stuff, which creates extra health risks for anyone who comes into contact with it.
In some places, repeated flooding from high tides weakens building foundations and erodes coastal land over time.
How Storm Surges and Flooding Interact
A storm surge is the abnormal rise in water level caused by a storm’s winds and pressure changes. When a surge lines up with high tide, it creates a storm tide—and that can mean major coastal flooding.
Flooding often comes from more than one source at the same time. Heavy rain can overwhelm drainage systems while storm surge pushes water inland.
This combo can make floods deeper and last longer.
Low-lying areas with bad drainage face the highest risk. Water can back up through storm drains, flood basements, and stick around for hours or even days.
The longer water stays put, the more damage it does to infrastructure, property, and the environment.
Monitoring Weather Alerts and Warnings
Getting accurate weather info in time helps people make smart decisions before and during severe storms. Reliable alerts give coastal residents a chance to secure property, plan evacuation routes, and avoid dangerous floodwaters.
Enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are short, location-based messages sent to mobile devices by government agencies. They warn about things like coastal flooding and storm surges, and you don’t even need an internet connection.
Most smartphones have WEA capability built in. You should check your settings to make sure alerts are turned on for extreme weather and imminent threats.
These alerts use a loud tone and vibration to get your attention, even if your phone is on silent. They give quick info, like what’s happening, where, and what you should do.
Since WEAs are location-specific, they’re especially helpful for travelers who might not know local risks. Getting these alerts fast can help you act before tides and floodwaters get dangerous.
Using Severe Weather Apps
Severe weather apps give more detailed and customizable info than basic alerts. Many show radar maps, hourly forecasts, and push notifications for things like high tides or coastal floods.
Popular apps come from the National Weather Service, local TV stations, or trusted private companies. You can set up multiple saved locations to track conditions for home, work, or wherever you’re headed.
Some apps let you customize alerts by hazard type, severity, or location. That way, you get fewer annoying notifications but still catch the important stuff.
Good apps also provide tide charts, storm surge projections, and rainfall totals. This info can help you figure out when water levels might peak and how long the flooding could last.
Interpreting Tidal and Flood Warnings
Tidal and flood warnings mean dangerous water levels are expected or already happening. A Coastal Flood Advisory signals minor flooding is possible, while a Coastal Flood Warning means significant flooding is imminent or happening.
Storm surge forecasts estimate how much higher the sea will rise above normal tide levels. This info is often combined with high tide times to predict peak flooding.
You should check when the highest tide will hit and compare it to when the storm is supposed to arrive. Even moderate rainfall can make flooding worse if it lines up with a high tide or surge.
If you understand these warnings, you can act early—move your car to higher ground, secure your property, or evacuate if you have to—before things get unsafe.
Preparing Your Home and Property
High tides during severe storms push water into yards, damage buildings, and carry off anything that isn’t secured. Protecting your home means tying down loose stuff, blocking water entry points, and moving important systems and valuables above where floodwater might reach.
Securing Outdoor Items and Structures
Strong winds and rising water can turn anything left outside into a hazard. Bring patio furniture, grills, and garden tools inside or tie them down with heavy straps.
Small things like potted plants, toys, and yard decorations should go in a garage or shed. If you leave them out, they could float away or break windows.
Lightweight structures like sheds, pergolas, and fences might need extra support. Using storm-rated anchors or adding bracing helps keep them from collapsing or breaking loose in floods and high winds.
If you can, take down temporary things like canopy tents before the storm. Even anchored, they tend to fly off and cause damage.
Protecting Against Flooding
Water getting inside is one of the worst things about high tides during storms. Stack sandbags at doors, garage entries, and low vents to slow water down.
For longer-term protection, you can install flood barriers or waterproof shields for doors and windows. These work better than sandbags and you can use them again.
Seal or cover basement windows and vents. If you have a sump pump, test it before the storm and make sure you’ve got a battery backup ready in case the power goes out.
Driveways and walkways that slope toward the house can send water inside. Temporary barriers or small channels can help send water away from entry points.
Elevating Utilities and Valuables
Rising water can ruin electrical systems, heating units, and appliances. Put these on raised platforms or move them to higher floors to lower the risk of flood damage.
Store important documents like property deeds, insurance papers, and IDs in a waterproof, fireproof safe.
Electronics, photos, and small valuables should go in sealed plastic containers and stay above the projected flood level.
If your home sits in a high-risk flood zone, you might want to hire a contractor to raise HVAC units, water heaters, and breaker panels to meet or beat local flood protection standards.
Personal and Family Safety Planning
Families can stay safer during high tides and storms by getting supplies ready, knowing where to go, and having ways to keep in touch. Taking clear steps before a storm helps protect lives and makes everything go more smoothly.
Creating an Emergency Kit
You should have an emergency kit ready before storm season. Keep it somewhere dry and easy to grab if you need to leave in a hurry.
Key items include:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Water & Food | 1 gallon of water per person per day (3 days), non-perishable food |
| Health & Safety | First aid kit, prescription medicines, face masks |
| Tools & Light | Flashlight, extra batteries, multi-tool |
| Communication | Battery-powered or hand-crank radio, phone charger |
| Personal Needs | Important documents in waterproof bags, cash, clothing, hygiene items |
Pet owners should remember food, leashes, and carriers. If you have infants or elderly family members, add special care items.
Check the kit twice a year and swap out expired food, water, and batteries.
Developing an Evacuation Plan
An evacuation plan should include safe routes to higher ground and shelters that aren’t in flood-prone areas. Test your routes ahead of time to make sure they’re passable during heavy rain or tidal flooding.
Agree on at least two meeting points: one close by and another farther away in case your local area isn’t safe.
Think about transportation. If you don’t have a car, arrange rides with neighbors or find out about public evacuation options.
Keep a small “go bag” near the door with essentials so you can leave quickly if you get a warning.
Communication Strategies During Storms
Storms can knock out cell service and power, so you need more than one way to communicate. Family members should memorize or carry written contact numbers in case phones don’t work.
A group text or messaging app can help share updates fast, but always have a backup plan. Battery-powered radios can give you official alerts if you lose internet or phone service.
If you get separated, everyone should know where to meet and when to check in. Out-of-town contacts can help relay messages if local networks are jammed.
Keeping communication simple and consistent cuts down confusion and helps everyone make decisions faster during high-tide floods.
Evacuation and Shelter Procedures
When severe storms and high tides hit, safety depends on quick decisions and clear actions. Sometimes you’ll need to leave home fast, or you might have to shelter in place if it’s too risky to travel.
Knowing when to move and where the safest place is can really lower your risk.
Knowing When to Evacuate
You need to evacuate if local officials issue mandatory orders or if storm surge and flooding threaten your area. Officials base these orders on forecasts, water levels, and infrastructure risks.
Residents should keep an eye on official alerts through radio, TV, or mobile notifications. Wireless Emergency Alerts can still reach you during power outages if your phone is charged.
Start evacuating as soon as you get the order. Waiting too long can mean blocked roads, rising water, and crowded shelters.
People in mobile or manufactured homes should leave early, since these structures aren’t safe in high winds or flooding.
If you have medical needs, mobility challenges, or small kids, try to leave before traffic gets bad. Having a go-bag with medications, documents, and basic supplies makes leaving quicker and safer.
Choosing Safe Evacuation Routes
Pick evacuation routes that avoid low-lying areas, risky bridges, and roads that flood easily. Just one foot of floodwater can sweep away a small car, so never drive through water-covered roads.
Local emergency agencies usually provide official route maps. These routes stick to higher ground, better road conditions, and shelter access.
Travel during daylight if you can. Make sure you have a full tank and expect possible detours.
Stick to posted signs and avoid shortcuts—they might lead to blocked or dangerous spots.
If you’re traveling with others or in separate vehicles, set a meeting point in case you lose contact.
Sheltering in Place Safely
If you can’t evacuate, sheltering in place means picking the safest spot inside your home. Choose a windowless room on the highest floor that’s still sturdy.
When high tide flooding threatens, get to higher ground inside the building right away. If water keeps rising and things get dangerous, be ready to head to the roof or an upper story and signal for help.
High winds? Try to put as many walls as possible between yourself and the outside. Grab a mattress to cover up, or wear a helmet if you have one—falling debris is no joke.
Lock up all doors and windows, and unplug electronics to avoid power surge damage. Keep a battery-powered weather radio nearby so you can stay updated until it’s safe to come out.
Staying Safe During and After High Tides
High tides during big storms bring dangerous flooding, fast-moving water, and damage to roads and buildings. You’ll need to act fast to avoid hazards and protect yourself from injury or property loss.
Avoiding Flooded Areas
Floodwater hides all sorts of hazards—sharp debris, open manholes, or ground that could give way. Even shallow water can knock you off your feet or stop your car cold.
Don’t walk or drive through flooded roads, even if it looks safe. Just six inches of moving water can sweep you away, and a foot can move a small car.
If you find evacuation routes blocked, go to higher ground and wait for official updates. Never trust your eyes alone to judge water depth.
Stay away from seawalls, piers, and jetties when the storm surges. Big waves and strong currents can pull people in before they know it.
Responding to Rising Waters
When water starts rising, don’t wait—move to higher floors or elevated ground before escape routes disappear.
If you get trapped inside, stay out of basements or low rooms where water rushes in fast. Keep a battery-powered radio or a charged phone handy for emergency alerts.
People in flood-prone areas should turn off electricity at the main breaker if it’s safe. That way, you lower the risk of getting shocked by submerged outlets or appliances.
Rescue crews might take a while to reach you during severe storms. Keep essentials—like water, medications, and a flashlight—close in case you need to shelter in place for a while.
Returning Home After the Storm
Wait until local authorities say it’s safe before heading back. Floodwater can stick around for a while, and honestly, it’s probably still full of sewage, fuel, or who knows what else.
Wear waterproof boots and gloves while you check out your place. Standing water might hide damage beneath the surface, so always look over the floors and walls before you really go inside.
Let a qualified professional inspect your electrical systems before you use them. Flipping the power on too early could lead to fires or shocks, and nobody wants that.
Throw away any food or bottled water that touched floodwater. Even if the packaging looks okay, contamination can still happen.