King tides bring flooding concerns, possible road closures to Carolina Beach
CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — King tides could bring flooding and road closures to parts of Carolina Beach through the end of October, with low-lying areas particularly vulnerable to rising water levels.
The combination of a full moon and the moon’s close approach to Earth is increasing the risk of coastal flooding, especially along Canal Street and the north end of town.
Carolina Beach Town Manager Bruce Oakley said some areas began experiencing flooding as early as Saturday, with large puddles still visible along Canal Street on Monday.
Flooding has become a familiar problem for residents in the area, prompting the town to install metal barricades along Canal Street and several connecting roads. Police can lower the barricades to prevent drivers and pedestrians from entering flooded streets.
Oakley said the town has taken steps to reduce flooding, including installing bulkheads along some town-owned properties and street ends. However, gaps in flood protection remain along privately owned properties.
“We’ve actually added several bulkheads the town has on some of our street ends and property we own, will hold back some water. But there’s still some private properties that do not have bulkheads or they’re old bulkheads that are a low level that allow water to come over. So we’re working with the property owners and working with the North End Flood Alliance, a nonprofit in town, that’s working with us to try to talk to some of these property owners to allow for more bulkheads,” Oakley said.
The town is continuing to work with property owners and the North End Flood Alliance to improve flood protection in vulnerable areas.
Oakley is also reminding drivers to obey road closures and never attempt to drive through flooded streets.
Drivers who ignore closures could be cited by police, while wakes created by vehicles traveling through floodwaters could cause additional damage to nearby properties.
The highest tide associated with this king tide event is expected Tuesday night, increasing the potential for flooding in low-lying areas.
Residents and visitors should prepare for possible road closures in parts of Carolina Beach over the next several days as elevated tides continue through the end of the month.
