King tides causing overflowed streets in North Myrtle Beach. Here’s what else to know
King tides have made their way back to the Myrtle Beach area, flooding some streets in North Myrtle Beach.
The king tide, also called perigean spring tide, happens when the moon’s orbit is closest to earth during a new moon or a full moon. A new moon happened Thursday.
Some streets in parts of North Myrtle Beach showed signs of flooding Thursday morning, with a few inches of water in the streets near Cherry Grove.
The high tide is expected to last through Monday, with tides reaching higher than 6.8 feet each day until then, according to tide tables from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. The highest tide is expected at 7.1 feet Friday and Saturday, nearly two feet above the typical high tide range of 5.5 feet, the tide tables say.
King tides can cause flooding, especially in low-lying areas near the coast. When coupled with rain and storms, the risk of flooding increases. A chance of rain in the Myrtle Beach area is expected Friday night through Saturday, the same days the highest tides are forecast, according to the National Service.
The next king tides are expected in the area December 3-7.
This story was originally published November 5, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
