The yearly occurring ‘King Tide’ returns this week

CAROLINIA BEACH, NC (WWAY)– If you are planning on being at the beach at all this week, you can expect higher water levels as a result of the yearly occurring ‘King Tide.’

The Cape Fear experiences King Tides every year when the moon is closest to the earth, causing an increase in tide levels.  

The King Tide brings unusually high-water levels, and they can cause local tidal flooding in areas like Canal Drive in Carolina Beach.

Carolina Beach Town Manager Bruce Oakley says people should avoid Canal Drive and other areas impacted by the flooding.

“First of all, it’s against town ordinance to ride through flooded waters, it could result in fines. A car driving through flooded waters could cause a wake and cause damage to properties along Canal Drive,” Oakley said. “There can be damage to your car driving through flooded waters since this is salt water that you’re driving through, it can cause corrosion. There’s also unforeseen damages that could happen under the water that you don’t see.”

Many scientists believe events like this week’s could begin to happen more often, as climate change leads to rising sea levels. 

King Tides provide a glimpse of future everyday water levels, and they are a way to communicate local sea level rise impacts over long time periods. 

Carolina Beach participates in the North Carolina King Tides Project. For more information on the project, visit here.