Flood advisories have been issued across the entire east coast due to this year’s supermoon which will be the biggest and brightest when it rises tonight.
Residents of New York City and New Jersey were told Friday morning to brace for flooding up to two feet above ground level, and Florida’s is in effect today through Saturday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) told DailyMail.com that the advisory is due to potential high tides caused by the year’s largest and brightest moon, “which will be powerful enough to draw water into coastal cities.”
The supermoon will be 15 percent larger and closer to Earth than a full moon, increasing gravity on the oceans and creating higher-than-normal tides.
NWS has warned that roads in flood zones will likely be closed and properties in low-lying areas could be affected by rising water.
While New York City and New Jersey will see up to two feet of flooding, Florida will experience massive tides expected to bring twice that amount.
“In addition to the high tides, we have a supermoon that is powerful enough to pull in more water,” NWS Chief Administrative Officer Beth Lamb told DailyMail.com.
Parts of New York City and New Jersey are under a coastal flooding advisory from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday. These areas could see between one and two feet of water
‘This doesn’t happen every month. In a warming world, the ocean is expanding and you will see more coastal flooding due to high tides.”
NWS issued the advisory for Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens counties, Nassau and Richmond, also in New York, along with Hudson County in New Jersey.
“Up to a foot of flooding above ground level is expected in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline,” the weather service shared in a statement.
“Additional coastal flooding is possible with the high tide cycles through Saturday.”
Officials have warned residents not to travel, but to leave early if necessary due to possible road closures.
Lamb said flooding will be prominent on Long Island ‘due to the persistent northeasterly wind moving in the right direction.
She went on to explain that areas along New Jersey that typically experience flooding will “take on water.”
The northeastern regions will be under the advisory starting Friday, from 6 a.m. ET to 10 a.m.
Part of Florida is also under the same advisory, which comes just a week after the state was hit by Hurricane Milton
There have also been coastal flood warnings near Jacksonville, Florida, along with Putnam and Flagler counties including 4 feet of flooding from 4pm Thursday to 5am Saturday.
Meteorologists call these king tides, and that’s what they are higher because of the moon at perigee, the point in its orbit where it is closest to Earth.
And the supermoon, which peaks tonight, could exert a greater gravitational pull on Earth and raise ocean water levels higher than normal.
High tides are expected to peak around 8.20am and 8.35pm today, then about 12 hours later on Friday and again at 10am on Saturday.
“Flooding of low-lying parking lots, coastal roads and parks may occur around periods of high tide,” the NWS said on X.
‘DO NOT park your vehicle in low areas as salt water is corrosive and can damage vehicles.’
Officials have urged residents under the flood advisory to ‘allow extra time’ when traveling as some roads may be closed.
“Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth,” the NWS stated in its advisory, adding that residents should also “take necessary steps to protect flood-prone properties.”
These advisories follow Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on the west coast of Florida on October 9 as a Category 3 storm.
Large tides driven by this week’s supermoon could flood South Florida’s coast as the state reels from the devastation of Hurricane Milton. During the storm, water flowed through the streets of New Port Richey
The storm lashed cities with winds of more than 100 miles per hour, spawned a barrage of tornadoes and dropped up to 18 inches of rain in some areas. At least 14 people were killed.
Milton also caused catastrophic flooding across the state, and some areas are still waiting for the waters to recede a week after the hurricane.
These large tides can make it even more difficult for Milton’s waters to recede as they struggle to drain into swollen rivers like the St. Johns, which flow more than 300 miles from its headwaters in Indian River County to the Atlantic Ocean flows.
The king tide also brings a high risk of rip currents, and officials are urging people to swim near a lifeguard.
“If you find yourself in a current, relax and stay afloat,” the NWS advised. ‘Don’t swim against the current. If possible, swim in the direction that follows the shoreline. If you cannot escape, face the shore and shout or wave for help.”
The last major tide to hit Florida occurred in September, flooding Palm Beach’s popular Intracoastal-front Lake Trail with up to 12 inches of water in places.
King tides are a natural phenomenon that occurs every year in Florida, usually in the fall and spring.
The highest tides in Southeast Florida typically occur in the fall because the water is warmer and seasonal winds push water levels higher this time of year.
But the moon is the main driving force behind these exceptionally high tides.
This week’s Harvest supermoon will exert a greater gravitational pull on our planet, causing ocean water levels to rise higher than normal.
Additionally, the Earth, Sun, and Super Harvest Moon will align in space tonight, creating a lunar eclipse. The combined gravity of these celestial bodies will make the effect on Earth’s oceans even stronger, creating a king tide.
Additionally, senior NWS Miami meteorologist Robert Garcia said Newsweek those winds could make this week’s king tides even more severe.
“So the moon influences the tides, but in addition a northeasterly wind will direct the water toward the coast,” Garcia said.
‘It’s like sitting in a bathtub and constantly pushing water in one direction with your hand. The water is piling up,” he added.
This king tide should return to normal levels early next week, but another king tide is forecast for November 15 to 19.